Emmerdale and Coronation Street actress Claire King has slammed the “sexist” acting industry in an exclusive interview with OK! Magazine.
Claire is famous for playing Kim Tate in Emmerdale and Erica Holroyd in Corriem but said today there is a lot of sexism in the industry – as well as the pressure on actresses to look young.
She said: “Men in their 60s and 70s are labeled silver foxes. Once a woman hits 40, it feels like she’s being labeled ‘beyond’.”
But Claire said she wouldn’t indulge in plastic surgery to avoid the knife. She added: “I can’t take care of the maintenance plus the cost. Some people go too far and look a little off. I think a bit of character on your face shows you’ve lived life and enjoyed it, got your laugh lines.”
Claire has also opened up about her love for her hometown of Harrogate.
She said, “I’m still here! I’m in the valleys about ten miles away. I’m still very close. I just love it. It has changed over the years, but it has always been a beautiful spa town.
“We have the stray, that’s a big area, that’s mostly grass and the whole center. We all have shops. Because it is a spa town, there are beautiful buildings.
“It just has this nice homely feel to it. I suppose it’s quite a homely feeling. Great shops, fabulous restaurants. It’s just a really beautiful place.”
When not in Harrogate, Claire can be found in Spain and loves to recreate the experience at home.
She said: “I have a place in Spain so we love tapas and Spanish food. One of our favorites is La Feria.
“It has both a large outdoor area and indoors, loads of space, you can eat as much or as little as you want. They also make fino in the bottle. It’s nice to sit outside on a summer’s day, and in winter it’s great too.
“The staff is fantastic. We’re not talking about Michelin food, but it’s nice and relaxed and a really great place to go. Then I love a seafood restaurant I went to for my birthday – The Crab And Lobster – which has been a mainstay for decades and it’s fabulous.”
To read more from Claire and see exclusive images from her shoot visit OK.co.uk or get the OK! Magazine, out now