Emmerdale star Claire King speaks out after winning huge Inside Soap Awards prize

Emmerdale legend Claire King has been honoured by the Inside Soap Awards ahead of next week's star-studded ceremony in Manchester.

The long-serving cast member, who plays Home Farm icon Kim Tate, has been named as the first ever inductee into the Inside Soap Awards Hall of Fame.

Related: Emmerdale fans are all asking Beth Cordingly one thing ahead of Joe Tate horror

Claire's happy news was revealed live on ITV's This Morning today as anticipation builds for next week's event, which is the only soap awards to be held in 2026.

The Hall of Fame prize is a brand new trophy launched to celebrate 30 years of the Inside Soap Awards.

Claire's success celebrates her decades-long association with the world of soap, as well as her strong history with the Awards – fans may remember that she won the Biggest Soap Bitch and Best Soap prizes at the first-ever ceremony in 1996.

Speaking about the recognition, Claire commented: "I remember when these Awards started 30 years ago, and I've gone from Best Bitch to the longevity award. Kim Tate has been such a huge part of my life, so I am very honoured to accept this Inside Soap Hall of Fame Award."

Related: Emmerdale star Nick Miles rules out one career move after Jimmy's exit

Inside Soap's editor Sarah Ellis added: "What better way to celebrate 30 years of the Inside Soap Awards than with the launch of this very special accolade!

"As a double winner at our very first Inside Soap Awards in 1996, Claire was the perfect choice to be our very first Hall of Fame inductee. Kim Tate remains a Dales icon to this day, serving up just as much drama now as she did back in 1996. And she still looks every bit as glamorous!"

The Inside Soap Awards will be held on Monday 21 September in Manchester. Over 110,000 fans have already cast their votes – and there's still time to have your say in the Best Soap category, which doesn't close until midday on the day of the ceremony.

As announced earlier this week, the shortlist for the awards is as follows:

Best Actress

Vicky Myers (Lisa Connor-Swain, Coronation Street)

Diane Parish (Denise Fox, EastEnders)

Emma Atkins (Charity Dingle, Emmerdale)

Alex Fletcher (Diane Hutchinson, Hollyoaks)

Emily Weir (Mackenzie Booth, Home and Away)

Best Actor

Gareth Pierce (Todd Grimshaw, Coronation Street)

Paul Bradley (Nigel Bates, EastEnders)

Jeff Hordley (Cain Dingle, Emmerdale)

Danny Mac (Dodger Savage, Hollyoaks)

Ethan Browne (Tane Parata, Home and Away)

Best Comic Performance

Amy Robbins (Christina Boyd, Coronation Street)

Pierre Counihan-Moullier (Oscar Branning, EastEnders)

Chris Coghill (Kev Barton, Emmerdale)

Nicole Barber-Lane (Myra McQueen, Hollyoaks)

Shane Withington (John Palmer, Home and Away)

Best Villain

James Cartwright (Theo Silverton, Coronation Street)

Ronni Ancona (Bea Pollard, EastEnders)

Joe Absolom (Ray Walters, Emmerdale)

Anna Passey (Sienna Blake, Hollyoaks)

Sara Wiseman (Kerrie Matheson, Home and Away)

Best Young Performer

Jude Riordan (Sam Blakeman, Coronation Street)

Max Murray (Joel Marshall, EastEnders)

Amelia Flanagan (April Windsor, Emmerdale)

Oscar Curtis (Lucas Hay, Hollyoaks)

Nathan Murray (Cohen Luthor, Home and Away)

Best Newcomer

Olivia Frances-Brown (Jodie Ramsey, Coronation Street)

Pierre Counihan-Moullier (Oscar Branning, EastEnders)

Chris Coghill (Kev Barton, Emmerdale)

Tisha Merry (Gemma Johnson, Hollyoaks)

Jeremy Lindsay Taylor (David Langham, Home and Away)

Best Exit

Daniel Brocklebank (Billy Mayhew, Coronation Street)

Paul Bradley (Nigel Bates, EastEnders)

Joe Absolom (Ray Walters, Emmerdale)

Alex Fletcher (Diane Hutchinson, Hollyoaks)

Lynne McGranger (Irene Roberts, Home and Away)

Best Family

The Driscolls (Coronation Street)

The Brannings (EastEnders)

The Dingles (Emmerdale)

The Hutchinsons (Hollyoaks)

The Fowlers (Home and Away)

Best Partnership

Alison King & Vicky Myers (Carla & Lisa Connor-Swain, Coronation Street)

Steve McFadden & Paul Bradley (Phil Mitchell & Nigel Bates, EastEnders)

Jeff Hordley & Natalie J Robb (Cain & Moira Dingle, Emmerdale)

Kieron Richardson & Jonny Labey (Ste Hay & Rex Gallagher, Hollyoaks)

Ada Nicodemou & James Stewart (Leah Patterson & Justin Morgan, Home and Away)

Best Storyline

Todd’s abuse at the hands of Theo (Coronation Street)

Nigel’s dementia & final goodbye (EastEnders)

Bear’s modern slavery nightmare (Emmerdale)

Diane’s ovarian cancer (Hollyoaks)

Irene’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis (Home and Away)

Best Showstopper

Corriedale (Coronation Street & Emmerdale)

Nigel’s 90s special (EastEnders)

Return to Brookside Close (Hollyoaks)

The train crash (Home and Away)

Best Drama Star

William Beck (Dylan Keogh, Casualty)

Elinor Lawless (Stevie Nash, Casualty)

Lindsey Coulson (Stella Drake, Waterloo Road)

Adam Thomas (Donte Charles, Waterloo Road)

Best Soap

Coronation Street

EastEnders

Emmerdale

Hollyoaks

Home and Away

Bosses are also planning to hand out an Outstanding Achievement prize and name the Soap Superstar of 2026, awarded by fans to an actor who has performed above and beyond the call of duty this year.

Emmerdale airs on weeknights at 8pm on ITV1, and streams on ITVX.

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