Blast from the past! HUGE Emmerdale star returning to the Dales after 19 years

Fans of the show will be THRILLED

ITv

by Emma Dodds |
Updated on

Hold onto your hats, Emmerdale fans, because KIM TATE is returning to the show after a whopping 19 years away! Kim, played by Claire King, is one of the most iconic Emmerdale characters of all time, and caused MAJOR drama during her 10 years on the show.

Claire, who recently starred in rival soap Coronation Street as Erica Holroyd for three years, confirmed her return to the Dales on Lorraine this morning (25th Sept) in an interview on the Emmerdale set.

Emmerdale
©Claire King © ITV

The 55-year-old, who left Emmerdale in 1999, said, "I can’t believe it’s 20 years. I think the timing was just about right this time. It has been mentioned over the years, but I think now the time’s right. We’ve got Joe Tate in there, so a Tate name’s back in, so it just seemed to slot in."

Obviously, Claire couldn't say much about her storyline, but she did say, "As always a joy to play. She is going to come back and wreak havoc. Even though she’s just back for a week, she does quite a lot in that week actually. She’s bigger, badder than she was before. And obviously a bit older."

Emmerdale spoilers: Swipe through for storylines on Monday 1st October - Friday 5 October

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Emmerdale spoilers Monday 1st October - Friday 5 October

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Chas gives birth

Chas and Paddy meet baby Grace, but their joy is cut short as the realisation sets in they'll only be able to share a few brief moments with their daughter.

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Heartbreak for Chas and Paddy

The countdown to Grace's tragic death begins and Chas and Paddy share a tender moment as they talk about all the things Grace will miss out on in her life. Later, baby Grace passes away in Chas' arms and the couple are left distraught knowing their lives will never be the same again.

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Meanwhile...

David Metcalfe invites a homeless Maya Stepney to live with him while she finds her feet.

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Maya willingly accepts Davids kind invitation, but we've got a feeling it's not all going to be plain sailing.

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The next day...

After inviting Maya to stay, David hears a noise upstairs and heads up hoping it's Maya.

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However, David gets a shock when he finds himself face to face with a blast from the past.

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David is shocked to see the woman behind the towel is his ex Leyla.

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He definitely wasn't expecting that, was he?

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Uh-oh, things go from bad to worse when Maya walks in on David and Leyla talking on the bed.

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David soon finds himself in hot water with Maya, and we later see Jacob Metcalfe's reaction to Leyla's return.

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In other news...

Moira arrives to tell Debbie and Charity that Cain has been arrested in France

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Things take a sinister turn for Graham and Joe

Joe Tate discovers Graham Foster knows about Debbie Dingle's forged signature on the pre-nup. Meanwhile, Connor Jenson comes looking for Graham and he threatens Joe with a gun, demanding to know where Graham is. Worried for his life, Joe tells Connor he too hates Graham. He tells him he will ensure Graham is at Home Farm tomorrow

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Meanwhile, Connor Jenson comes looking for Graham and he threatens Joe with a gun, demanding to know where Graham is. Worried for his life, Joe tells Connor he too hates Graham. He tells him he will ensure Graham is at Home Farm tomorrow

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YIKES

The next day, the enormity of what he's done hits Joe and he leaves a backtracking answerphone message for Connor telling him not to hurt Graham. But is he too late? As Connor is stood over a bound and gagged Graham, muttering that he's going to enjoy every second of what he's about to do to him

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Elsewhere...

Tracy Metcalfe and Victoria lay flowers on Finn Barton's grave.

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Victoria is bitter that Adam can't be here to do the same and walks away leaving Tracy puzzled.

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Tracy confronts Leyla

After her shock return Tracy confronts Leyla.

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Tracy and Leyla row, Tracy grabs Leyla's things and chucks them outside.

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Liam and Bernice get close

After flirting up a storm Liam Cavanagh's plan to woo Bernice kicks up a notch.

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Ooo-er!

Dr Cavanagh and Bernice kiss. But Bernice pulls back, telling him they can't go any further until she has ended things with Daz Spencer.

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It's time for RobRon's big day

Aaron casts his doubts about the wedding after Paddy's concerns it's too soon for Chas. Meanwhile, Robert gets ready as he tries to convince Victoria how sorry Aaron is for lying to her about Adam. Victoria is determined to put Robert first despite everything and agrees to attend the wedding.

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Will they tie the knot?

Aaron hands Robert his old watch, which Aaron has had engraved with the dates of their two weddings. Robert is overwhelmed and both head off happy and excited to get married. Soon with family and friends gathered at a pagoda outside the Village Hall, the wedding ceremony gets underway. PHEW.

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More romance in the village

After her return to the village, Ross hires out the café to spend some alone time with Rebecca. When Rebecca questions Ross about his feelings for her, he responds by pulling her in for a kiss.

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She tenderly kisses him back, but how long will this bliss last?

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Uh oh!

Things finally look to be back on track for Ross, until he spots Dawn. She has some information Ross has been waiting for...

Unfortunately, Kim confirmed that she's only back in the Dales for ONE WEEK - but did tease that there could be a longer stint in the future.

"I’m kind of committed to pantomime at Christmas," she said. "I’m in Stockport doing Sleeping Beauty and I’ve got a film coming out at the end of October, King of Crime, so things are busy. So I’m sorry about that."

Of course, after Kim's departure in a helicopter, she would have to come back in something equally as glamorous. "She arrives in a DB9 this time which was rather nice," she gushed, "I got to drive it. We didn’t have the helicopter but had a nice Aston Martin."

Kim Tate
©Kim leaving in the helicopter with her son James © Shutterstock

"It did feel like a new job at first," she admitted, "Until I arrived at Home Farm and then the old boots came on and she was back, it felt really at home. It was great. Lots of old friendly faces, some of them were tweeting me before and sending me messages.

"Same work ethic and everything. It feels like home. I’m a Yorkshire lass. It’s just like coming home, everybody’s so friendly here, they really are."

WATCH: The trailer for Kim Tate's shock return to Emmerdale:

We can't wait for her return!

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