Emmerdale icon Claire King has hinted at a big twist coming Kim Tate’s way amid a new romance.

In a recent episode, the Home Farm matriarch shocked Dawn Fletcher when she revealed she’d been seeing someone. Although Kim stressed it was “nothing serious” as they’d only met for coffee a couple of times, Dawn saw right through her facade and guessed she’d be down for a relationship.

In a new interview with Woman’s Weekly magazine, King revealed more about Kim’s mystery man – the first since the death of Will Taylor. While she didn’t disclose his identity, we know that Kim’s beau is a cosmetic surgeon who harbours a dark secret.

“She is quite smitten because he’s very charming and handsome,” King said. “But it turns out he’s not quite who he says he is.”

As it’s not usually wise to get in Kim’s bad books, the man in question may face her wrath if he were to betray her.

“Kim is strong, independent and intelligent,” confirmed King.

“If somebody does her wrong or hurts any of her relatives, then the claws come out!”

Whether the claws will come out with her new lover isn’t clear at the moment, but Kim will definitely come to blows with an Emmerdale newcomer – no-nonsense farmer Celia Daniels.

“Let’s put it this way – Kim and Celia will be having the odd chat!” Celia star Jaye Griffiths said, adding that Kim “will have a competitor”.

“We have got two women who don’t apologise for taking up space,” she continued.

“Kim does have some humanity but Celia lacks it completely. There are occasions when Kim recognises her behaviour is out of order whereas Celia never does that… Most women my age would always stand aside – Celia won’t be!”