TV superbitch Claire reveals her exercise secrets

Jun 1 2008 By Steve Hendry

IF TV superbitch Claire King had any doubts about her new fitness regime they vanished the moment she saw herself in a bikini on a 60ft billboard.

The 45-year-old former Emmerdale and Bad Girls star is in the best shape of her life for a best-selling new workout DVD - but her jaw still dropped when she saw the huge advertising posters.

She said: "My first thought was 'Aargh!' followed by 'Oh my God!'.

"But after I got over the embarrassment I did think I was looking not bad for an old bird."

Claire's Ultimate Body Workout sold more than 50,000 copies in days - knocking ex-EastEnder Natalie Cassidy off the top spot. And it has shown the makers of Desperate Housewives what they are missing.

Claire, who played sexy schemer Kim Tate in Emmerdale and governess Karen Betts in Bad Girls, was spotted by producers of the hit US series when she appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2006.

They called her agent about being the sister of Edie Britt - played by fellow Brit Nicollete Sheridan.

She said: "My heart skipped a beat but it didn't happen.

"I hope they call again but if Gwyneth Paltrow reckons she is on the slide at 35, I'm well over the hill as far as America is concerned."

Claire is far from washed up in the UK and is up for parts in a new comedy series, a drama and is due to shoot film The Beautiful Outsiders.

She said: "I always say there are three stages of life for an actress: The Tart With a Heart, The Barrister and Driving Miss Daisy. I'm still in the middle phase and I'm hanging on."

She teamed up with trainer Tom Clough to do a DVD for older women who hate the gym but was wary of using her soap star status.

She said: "I said, 'Oh God, another soap person doing a fitness DVD'.

But there isn't a big market for older women. I come out in a rash if I go near a gym. I find it totally boring."

Despite her busy schedule, she would not rule out a soap return.

She said: "It's 10 years since I was in Emmerdale. She would have to make a major impact."

She could always try a bikini and a 60ft billboard.

Claire King's Ultimate Body Workout DVD is on sale now priced £19.99.

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