An Emmerdale legend has reportedly signed a new contract to stay on the show, having been at the centre of a huge storyline in recent scenes.
Kim Tate (Claire King) has been a stalwart of the ITV soap opera for over 30 years, having appeared on and off since 1989.
Now, she is set to remain on our screens for another year, with actress Claire having signed a new contract.
It comes amid a huge storyline that has seen her almost lose everything to Dr Crowley and Joe Tate’s (Ned Porteous) schemes.
Kim had begun to fall for Dr Crowley – unaware that he was in cahoots with Joe, who he was blackmailing – determined to get his hands on Kim’s fortune.
However, in recent scenes, Joe came clean to Kim, setting Dr Crowley up and bringing his sinister plot to a dramatic end.
Now, he is set to try hard to regain Kim’s trust – a wise move, seeing as she has a new plan to expand her fortune.
Despite the drama of the past few weeks, Kim shows no signs of slowing down, with her new contract set to see her take on a big story.
‘Bosses love Claire and they are delighted that she’s going nowhere,’ a source told The Sun.
‘Kim Tate is one of the soap all time greats and it’s only right that she has a massive storyline.
‘It’s going to delve into who Kim is and where she’s come from and see her rediscover that grit that made her Kim Tate.
![From ITV EMBARGOED UNTIL 20:00 HRS WEDNESDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 2023 Emmerdale POLLARD???S DIAGNOSIS In tonight's episode of Emmerdale, viewers learned that Eric Pollard, played by Emmerdale's longest serving cast member, Chris Chittell, has been diagnosed with Parkinson???s, the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. In emotional scenes, Eric tearfully confided in Mandy (Lisa Riley) about what he had been going through recently, and how terrified he was feeling as he looked to his future. He swore Mandy to secrecy, determined to go it alone. When devising and researching the storyline, Emmerdale has worked closely with the charity Parkinson???s UK, who will continue to support the production team to give Eric???s story a realistic and authentic depiction whilst creating awareness of the condition and how it affects those afflicted. Photographer - Mark Bruce This photograph is (C) ITV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/SEI_178346627-2c33.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘She’s going to stop at nothing to get what she wants – and make a few more enemies in the process as well as potentially changing the village forever.’
Emmerdale had no comment to make when approached by Metro.
Claire is not the only Emmerdale legend to have signed on the dotted line this month, with Eric Pollard star Chris Chittell having also put pen to paper.a
