Emmerdale star Claire King has shared a sweet memory of Zoe Tate star Leah Bracknell after her tragic death aged 55.
The Kim Tate actress opened up in an interview for new ITV book 50 Years of Emmerdale, confessing the one thing that always reminds her of Leah.
Leah played Zoe Tate from 1989 until 2005, scooping the British Soap Award in 2006 for Best Exit before being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2016.
READ MORE: Emmerdale confirms multiple deaths as 50th anniversary heartache will continue into 2023
Despite fundraising campaigns smashing their targets to pay for a specialised treatment in Germany, Leah sadly died in September 2019 after taking part in an immunotherapy clinical trial.
Now Claire has paid tribute to the star on the soap’s 50th birthday, explaining: “It was incredibly sad when she passed away.
(Image: ITV)
“She was a very spiritual person as well, full of goodness, just a little ray of sunshine. Whenever I see a rainbow, I always think of her.”
Claire has admitted that losing friends to cancer makes her reflect on her own life, admitting in July last year: “We lost one of my best friends, Fiona, to bowel cancer a couple of years ago, and with Leah going too, it makes you think about your own life, future, your health, and how you treat people.”
However, the star attracted some controversy when she added: “Cancer hits one in two, which is just horrendous. I think that’s a lot to do with how we are treating the planet. We’ve mistreated the planet and this is nature’s payback.
(Image: ITV)
“We’re not doing ourselves any good – says she who drinks and smokes – but we’ve all got to play our part in this and it becomes very poignant when you lose a good friend.”
Leah was vocal throughout her cancer treatment, writing in the months leading up to her death: “I rebel against the fear of cancer, against pity from others and myself, against being defined by cancer, and against being bullied by cancer.”
It comes as Claire opened up about Kim and Will’s wedding scenes in the upcoming 50th anniversary episodes – with Kim arriving on horseback.
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She gushed: “[The horse is] called Ice Tea. It suits him as he’s a grey Andalusian. He’s 18 years old but you wouldn’t know it. He’s so comfy and he’ll do whatever you want.
“He’s forward going but feels safe. I’m used to riding thoroughbreds that are completely bonkers so I expect them to jump at a crisp packet but Ice had drones flying overhead, booms, cameras, people clapping and cheering.
“He’s just perfect. He came from AB Film Horses and he’s done some amazing films. His C.V. is huge.
“Today I’ve been cantering around a field all day and I said if I could do this every day, my job would be the best job in the world.”
50 Years of Emmerdale is available to purchase now
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
