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 today said there's a lot of sexism in the industry - as well as pressure on actresses to keep looking young.
She said: "Men in their 60s and 70s are labelled silver foxes. As soon as a woman is 40 it feels as though she’s labelled as ‘past it’.""
But Claire said she won't give in to plastic surgery, avoiding the knife. She added: "I can’t be bothered with the maintenance of it, plus the cost. Some people go too far and look a bit off. I think a little bit of character to the face shows you’ve lived life, enjoyed it, got your laughter lines."
Claire has also spoken about her love of hometown Harrogate.
She said: "I’m still here! I’m in the dales, about ten miles out. I’m still very close. I just love it. It’s changed over the years, but it’s always been a beautiful spa town.
"We have the stray, which is a big area, that’s mainly grass and all through the centre. We have all the shops. Because it’s a spa town, there are beautiful buildings.
"It’s just got that lovely homely feel. I suppose it’s quite a homely feel. Great shops, fabulous restaurants. It’s just a really nice place to be."
When not in Harrogate Claire can be found in Spain, and loves to recreate the experience when back home.
She said: "I have a place in Spain, so we love tapas and Spanish food. A favourite of ours is La Feria.
"It’s got a big outdoor area as well as inside, loads of space, you can eat as much or as little as you want. They do Fino by the bottle as well. It’s lovely on a summer day to sit outside, and in winter it's great too.
"The staff are fantastic. We’re not talking about Michelin food, but it’s nice and relaxed and a really great place to go to. Then I love a seafood restaurant, which I went to on 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 pictures from her shoot visit OK.co.uk or pick up this week's OK! magazine, out now
