Emmerdale fans not impressed as Kim Tate is ‘replaced’ on soap

KIM Tate isn't to be messed around with in the ITV Dales, as she's known for her cold and calculating nature.

However, Emmerdale fans were unable to recognise the villain they've grown to know and love last night.

The businesswoman played by iconic soap actress Claire King made her first appearance in the eponymous village in 1989.

Since then, she's become a force to be reckoned with and a source of major turmoil, particularly for the Dingle clan with whom she's often feuded.

But in shocking turn of events, Kim found herself grovelling at a Dingle's feet during last night's trip to the Yorkshire Dales.

Many viewers took issue with the scene and swarmed over to Twitter to express their thoughts.

Most were left scratching their heads due to Kim's sudden change in personality.

As mentioned above, the long-standing character is well-known for her fierce nature and never takes prisoners.

"Back in the day Kim would have smacked Lydia. Why have they replaced her with a wet lettuce", one soap fan complained.

Another viewer added: "Is that humble pie in front of Kim?" as third echoed: "A few years ago Kim would have ripped Lydia to shreds, not stood there grovelling."

"Classic Kim would have had the Dingles' cottage bulldozed for that back lip", one fan commented, remembering some of the most heated moments of Kim's feud with the Dingles.

One viewer questioned: "Since when did Kim ever let anyone speak to her like that?"

It all started when her husband Will Taylor (Dean Andrews) accused Sam Dingle (James Hooton) of stealing his watch, pointing the finger at his wife Lydia (Karen Blick) in the process.

The situation escalated and the couple were booted out of Home Farm.

It was soon discovered that Will's watch had never been stolen as it was found by Nicky the nanny with Lucas.

A devastated Kim tried to put the pieces back together with Lydia, offering her and Sam's job back.

Although the cleaner accepted the offer, Kim wasn't completely off the hook.

Kim would be raising both Lydia and Sam's pay and the former insisted that she would only be doing her job and no longer be a friend to Kim.

Lydia first scolded Kim, saying: "I have always been there for you, defended you. That one time we needed you to have our backs. Where were you? You're supposed to be my friend."

"Next time you need someone to organise a hen do or to stick up for you when everyone else is slagging you off, you can find some other mug", she added.

This wouldn't be the first time viewers have spotted a character have a complete and drastic change of personality.

In recent months, Samson Dingle was said to be the new Noah Dingle as he refused to have anything to do with his baby Esther.

Ironically, Noah - a reformed troubled teen who spent several weeks in prison - stepped up to the plate for Amelia Spencer despite their rocky past.

Emmerdale airs from Monday to Friday at 7.30pm on ITV.