Claire King burst onto the screens as Kim Tate in 1989 and it is safe to say the 61-year-old actress is one of Emmerdale’s most iconic characters of all time.
However, beyond the limelight, the beloved actress has been waging a personal battle against a disease that isn’t apparent to the eye. Diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at the young age of 28, King’s journey has been one of resilience and determination.
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Facing the very real fear of having to abandon her role due to her health issues, she has instead become a vocal advocate, sharing her story to shed light on the struggles faced by those with the same “invisible” illnesses.
With her struggles being as compelling as her on-screen drama, let’s take a look at the Emmerdale icon’s real-life health saga, from almost quitting the ITV soap, needing joint replacements in her hands and fears she might end up “in a wheelchair”
Diagnosis
(Image: Getty Images)
Emmerdale legend Claire has endured some difficult times in her life, having to battle an “invisible” illness. She was only 28 years old when she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis . When Claire was initially diagnosed there weren’t many treatments available to help her debilitating symptoms.
“My joints swelled up, and my knees felt like someone had hit them with a mallet,” Claire told Health Awareness UK. “You just think, ‘this is an old person’s disease, am I going to end up in a wheelchair?’. There was very little treatment available at the time. You just tend to think the worst.”
(Image: Getty Images)
She began changing her lifestyle and cut certain things out of her diet, including red wine. Claire introduced exercises that helped the movement in her body which aided her in living an active life.
“Yoga has been great for me,” she said. “Things like running or lifting weights though, it’s just too punishing on my joints.” She is even able to continue horse riding, adding: “I just don’t bounce like I used to!”
Job fears
The Kim Tate star has spoken openly about suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and how it almost stopped her from working.
The soap star explained that after struggling with arthritis, she was almost forced to quit Emmerdale. But adjustments from the producers and certain tweaks have allowed her to keep going.
Her character has seen some changes as her wardrobe and no longer features heels or uncomfortable shoes. “You won’t see Kim Tate in six-inch high heels anymore,” she told Steph’s Packed Lunch.
(Image: ITV)
She explained that as an autoimmune disorder, which occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body’s tissues, this can be worsened by being outside filming in the village for long periods of time. She revealed that Emmerdale producers are “very good” at keeping her out of the cold in the winter.
Speaking candidly, she said: “With rheumatoid arthritis and being outdoors doing all that filming – it a bit arduous on you, yes. I mean they’re very good at work, the producers. And they try to keep me out of the village as much as possible in winter.”
Joint agony
(Image: Press Association Images)
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Claire revealed that the condition became so severe that she needed to get joints in her fingers removed. They were replaced with plates in an effort to help ease her symptoms.
Claire opened up about her health battle during national arthritis week in October 2021. She said that she has struggled to continue to do the things she loves, including working as an actress and horse riding due to the pressure it puts on her knees.
(Image: PA)
“I can certainly relate to the ‘invisible disease’ – although my symptoms don’t always show, it doesn’t mean I’m not in pain or feeling exhausted,” the soap star revealed. “I wear flat riding boots, I can get away with Ugg boots or trainers or flip flops. It’s just a case of being comfortable.”
Emmerdale airs weeknights on ITV1 and ITVX at 7.30pm
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
