Emmerdale veteran Claire King has suggested that she is unhappy with the demands of working on the soap.

The 59-year-old played the part of resident schemer Kim Tate for a first stint between 1989 and 1999, then returning permanently after a 20-year break two years ago.

Speaking to the Daily Star, King admitted that her substantial workload is "not good" for a woman of her age.

"I always say to them 'Will you stop writing so much for me? Because I've got so many lines to learn'," she said.

"You are constantly learning lines, it's a 24-7 job. And they say 'No, because we love writing for you!'

"When I first started it was only two episodes a week. Then it went to three. Now I've come back to six and a half.

"Not only am I menopausal, I'm arthritic, which doesn't help with the old brain. The extra workload is not good for my brain at my age."

Emmerdale continues weeknights on ITV.