ITV Announces Claire King as First Guest in 'Audience With' Live Event Series

Image: ITV Press

By Jon Donnis

ITV has announced a thrilling new event series that soap opera fans won't want to miss: the "Audience With" live events, beginning with a special evening featuring Emmerdale legend Claire King. Tickets for this must-see event go on sale this morning.

Scheduled for Friday, July 26th, the event will take place at the scenic Weetwood Hotel, with "This Morning" and UK's "Queen of Soaps," Sharon Marshall, returning as host. Sharon, who recently hosted the memorable "Audience with Corrie's Stephen Reid," will guide fans through an evening dedicated to celebrating Claire King's storied career as the indomitable Kim Tate on Emmerdale.

Claire King, who first arrived in the village of Emmerdale in 1989 and dramatically returned "from the dead" in 1997, has been a pivotal figure in the soap world. Her portrayal of Kim Tate, one of TV's most glamorous villains, has left an indelible mark on the series and its fans. Throughout the evening, Claire and Sharon will revisit some of the most iconic moments from her time on the show, discuss the behind-the-scenes magic of making Emmerdale, and perhaps even reveal a few secrets about future storylines.

The event promises to be an intimate and engaging experience, culminating in an audience Q&A session. Fans will have the rare opportunity to ask Claire about her career and gain deeper insights into what it's like to play such a legendary character. For those with premium tickets, the evening will extend into a personal meet and greet with Claire after the main session.

Jurian Van de Meer, EVP Brand Licensing at ITV, expressed his excitement: "We've always said it is exciting to be able to give fans of the soaps the chance to experience unique opportunities and for any Emmerdale fan, the chance to spend a Summer's evening with Claire and Sharon has to be unmissable. We hope it will give everybody attending memories for a lifetime."

Sharon Marshall echoed this sentiment, saying, "My love for the soaps is, as most people know, boundless! And getting to host these very special evenings and meet fellow soap fans is a true honour. I am over the moon to be sitting down with Claire for this one - there is, without a doubt, only one 'Kim Tate' and as far as soap icons go, she's up there with the best of all time. I suspect it's going to be a wild evening!"

Claire King herself is equally enthusiastic about the event: "Kim Tate has been and remains an incredible part of my life. The chance to play such a powerful (if not tricky!) character is a gift for any actor, and I feel very lucky to do so. I am rather fond of her, to be honest, and can't wait to see what she gets up to next! To be given the chance to meet the programme's fans face to face in our home county of Yorkshire for such a special event is fantastic. As Sharon says, it might be a wild evening!"

Don't miss out on this exclusive chance to celebrate one of the most iconic characters in British soap history. For full details on ticket availability, please refer to the Editor's notes. Secure your spot for an unforgettable summer evening with Claire King and Sharon Marshall, celebrating the enduring legacy of Emmerdale's Kim Tate.