Has the ‘Old Kim’ well and truly returned? 4 signs she’s back – and we’re delighted!
We have missed you, Queen Kim!
It’s been a turbulent time for Kim Tate in Emmerdale recently. But if things continue the way they are then the ‘old Kim’ could well and truly be back. Which makes us excited!
Kim in Emmerdale has always been an icon. But over the years the show has softened her, and she has lost some of the traits that made her who she is.
In previous years, Kim would never have let anyone get one up on her, and would always be ready to take down those who stood in her way. But after she married Will, her attention shifted to her family.
Don’t get us wrong, we love seeing a softer side to Kim. But we didn’t want to lose the iconic character we first met.
However, this doesn’t seem to be much of an issue anymore as fans believe 2025 is marking the return of the Kim Tate we all know and love.
One fan theorised on X that Kim’s arrest for Will’s death could be what she needed to go back to her old ways.
They queried: “Do we think this is a ‘plot’ to push Kim over the edge and return to some of her old character traits?”
We hope so! So, here are some reasons we believe the ‘Old Kim’ is making her comeback.
The back and forth Kim / Will drama
Before his Christmas Day death, Kim and Will were preparing to renew their wedding vows. Only he was actually working against her.
Kim didn’t trust Will for a while and ordered Ross Barton to get rid of him – which is why Dawn doesn’t believe her now.
But that’s not something the newer version of Kim would have done, especially not to someone she loved. The old Kim though? Definitely her sort of thing.
Will’s death
There is a lot of speculation as to whether Will is actually dead – but he is. But Kim could have saved him.
Instead of calling an ambulance while her husband was dying, she simply fixed her makeup. and laughed at him.
It wasn’t until Joe turned up that she even tried to help Will. But fans immediately loved Kim’s behaviour in the scenes – especially as it mirrored the death of her former husband Frank Tate.
Fans hailed ‘Queen Kim’ after the scenes aired on Christmas Day.
One praised: “Surely, Will’s death marked the return of Queen Kim?”
Cover-up with Joe Tate
Christmas Day also saw the highly anticipated return of Joe Tate. He may have been the mastermind behind ‘Operation destroy Kim Tate,’ but he hasn’t actually done anything to her since arriving. Except for helping her.
Joe’s perfect timed appearance meant he witnessed Kim letting Will die. And the pair decided it was a secret that would stay between them.
The Queen of Home Farm knew how it would look if the truth came out. And so she went along with it when Joe covered for her.
Putting herself first is definitely something we used to see a lot of from Kim. So, it appears we just needed a death to bring it back out.
Emmerdale Old Kim: Her funeral arrival
Last night’s episode (January 7) saw Will’s funeral take a very dramatic turn. But fans couldn’t help but obsess over Kim’s attire and arrival.
Kim rode her horse, Ice, through the village to Will’s funeral. And that extravagant behaviour is the Kim Tate we remember.
One fan wrote: “Queen Kim Tate in funeral chic on her killer horse is nothing short of iconic.”
Another added: “Absolutely obsessed with Kim riding a horse to Will’s funeral – Why not?”
While it’s obvious that Joe is becoming very successful at isolating Kim, her recent antics do have us questioning if she really trusts him.
But either way, we are glad to see Kim get some of her brilliance back.
Read more: Emmerdale fans call out character’s ‘hypocritical’ behaviour after last night’s episode
Emmerdale usually airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV, with an early release at 7am on ITVX.
Classic Emmerdale usually airs weekdays at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40am and 2.10pm on ITV3.
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