KIM Tate is returning to Emmerdale after 19 years.
Actress Claire King will reprise her iconic role for a special week of episodes as the legendary soap superbitch makes her comeback next month - as ITV accidentally confirmed earlier tonight.
She was last seen in Emmerdale in 1999 when she fled with son James in a dramatic exit which saw her escape in a helicopter after attempting to kill her stepson, Chris Tate.
The soap announced the news tonight promising Kim would be back "in all her glory" as she's set to take revenge on characters who had long thought they had escaped her wrath.
Her explosive comeback will happen during a special week of high drama themed around Joe Tate's Home Farm masquerade ball airing in October.
Actress Claire said she is "thrilled" to be returning adding: “As a Yorkshire lass myself, I’m absolutely thrilled to be back in Yorkshire for a fun-filled cameo, once again reaping havoc in the Dales!
"As there are still some familiar faces from 20 years ago it’s felt like coming home and I couldn’t have had a more lovely welcome from such a talented cast and crew, so thank you everyone!"
She also hinted at a truly explosive exit with Kim possibly blowing something up, adding: "It’s literally been a blast!”
The show's new co-producer Kate Brooks said: “Kim Tate is such a hurricane of a character, notorious for wreaking havoc wherever she goes.
"Kim's explosive return shakes the very foundations of the village as she swaggers back into Home Farm, leaving a devastating trail of destruction in her wake."
She added: "We are delighted to welcome Claire back to the show; an actor exuding charisma and ebullience.
"It is testament to Claire's immense talent that her portrayal of such an iconic soap villain is so convincing.
"We are all absolutely thrilled that she's filling Kim Tate's designer shoes once again.”
Kim played by Claire King first arrived in the village in 1989 and soon earned her name as a ruthless gold-digger.
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She attempted murder, faked her own death and stood by while her husband Frank died. It seemed Kim didn’t have many redeeming qualities but her love affair with Dave Glover brought out her softer side, until he tragically died saving Kim’s baby in a fire at Home Farm.
She left with her son James in 1999 but could he return too?
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