Claire King is a name that will forever be associated with Emmerdale.

Claire has played the feisty super bitch Kim Tate since 1989 – but what if we told you that wasn’t the actress’ real name?

It’s not uncommon for soap stars to use a stage name – and often it can be quite a radical change!

Coronation Street’s Georgia Taylor, who has played Toyah Battersby since 1997, is actually called Claire Jackson, whilst her co-stars Simon Gregson and Jane Danson have made minor tweaks from their birth names, Simon Gregory and Jane Dawson.

Over in EastEnders, Kat Slater star Jessie Wallace is actually known to her pals as Karen Wallis.

Gabby Thomas with Kim and Joe Tate in Emmerdale

She returned permanently in 2019 (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Claire King is no exception, having been born Jayne Claire Seed.

Claire (and the aforementioned soap stars) are using a stage name, which is not uncommon for actors and others in the entertainment industry.

There’s a number of reasons why they may choose a different name – often to differentiate themselves from another performer with the same moniker.

More often than not it’s a stipulation of joining Equity, the performing arts union. An actor whose name has already been registered previously must therefore choose a new name.

On-screen, Claire’s Kim has been married five times to four different men – but has mostly used the Tate name.

Tina Dingle stood between Frank and Kim Tate in Emmerdale

She’s used ex-husband Frank’s name for most of her tenure (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Kim and Will talk in the kitchen of Home Farm in Emmerdale

Things are frosty with current husband Will (Picture: ITV)
She briefly used her maiden name, Barker, during a separation from first husband Frank (Norman Bowler), but the two soon remarried.

Kim later used the surname Marchant for less than a year, during her turbulent marriage to Steve (Paul Opacic).

In 2012, she wed Graham Foster and ten years later she tied the knot with Will Taylor – but retained the Tate name.

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There could be another divorce on the cards, given Kim was recently revealed as Will’s blackmailer.

Over on Facebook, one fan wrote: ‘I was today year’s old when I found out Clare King’s real name is Jayne Seed.’

Another added: ‘No way, my mind is actually blown.’