Emmerdale star Claire King sends Inside Soap Awards message after Hall of Fame victory

Emmerdale star Claire King sent a special message to the Inside Soap Awards on Monday evening (21 September) following her well-deserved triumph in the new Hall of Fame category.

Last week, it was announced that Claire is the first ever actor to be inducted into the Inside Soap Awards Hall of Fame. The new category has been introduced to celebrate 30 years of the Awards.

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Claire's success was announced live on last Friday's edition of This Morning – but the celebrations continued on Monday at the event itself.

As she's currently on holiday, Claire recorded a message that was screened at the ceremony in Manchester. Exclusively for our readers, you can watch it above, right here on Digital Spy.

"Sorry I can't be with you tonight – but I'm on leave and I'm not coming back and my phone's off!" Claire quipped. "I hope you're all having a wonderful evening.

"I remember when these awards started about 30 years ago – and I've gone from Best Bitch to the longevity award!

"Truly, I am very honoured to accept this Inside Soap Hall of Fame award. As we know in soap, everything is one big machine and each of us are one single, equal cog – from producers, to cleaners, to caterers, to directors, writers, cast and crew. Make-up, costume, you name it – we all play our part. So congratulations to all of you."

She continued: "I would like to thank my fellow cast members – particularly my Tate family in Home Farm, I love you all.

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"To our bonkers fans, who stick with us through sick and sin, literally! To my husband, who's learned to cook, friends and family, who I will see at some point and thank you for all your support.

"And to my mother who never wants to know a storyline, wants to watch it when it's live. And my dear pa, who sadly left us two years ago this month – he was an avid fan and he would be very proud, not only of this award but the fact that I'm still here!"

As Claire mentioned, she received the Biggest Soap Bitch and Best Soap Plot prizes when the Inside Soap Awards launched in 1996, so she has a strong history with the ceremony.

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She was chosen for the Hall of Fame in recognition for her enduring popularity as Kim, who first arrived on our screens in 1989.

Inside Soap's editor Sarah Ellis recently said: "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!"

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

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