In her Emmerdale heyday, Claire King was famous for playing glamorous über bitch Kim Tate.

But nine years after leaving the Dales, it appears the 45-year-old actress was having an off-day from her usual sleek appearance after she was spotted in London yesterday.

Pulling an unflattering face, Claire looked a world away from the striking blonde who captured the attentions of famous men including Bob Geldof, Vinnie Jones and Frankie Dettori.

Now and then: Claire King pulls a face as she walks through the wind in London yesterday - and (right) as Kim Tate in 1999

Despite being dressed to the nines in a skin-tight black mini dress and high heels, a scowling Claire clearly wasn't feeling as glamorous as her outfit.

The actress soon realised the impracticality of her outfit as she was spotted struggling with a suitcase and other bags on the central London street.

After attracting the attention of eligible males in the eighties, it appeared age is finally catching up with the actress.

Skin-tight: King's tight-fitting outfit hugs her figure

Squat walk: The actress appears to be struggling in her high heels

In her 2006 autobiography Confessions Of A Bad Girl, Claire caused a stir when she claimed she had an affair with Boomtown Rat Bob Geldof in the early 1980s, while his late wife Paula Yates was pregnant with Fifi Trixibelle.

Defending her colourful love life, King said, 'There have been many people in my life, some famous, some not so famous. It's not my fault that Bob Geldof happens to be one of the most high-profile celebrities in the world.

'To me he was always Geldof. I would have written about him whether he was famous or not. I'm not intending to cause any trouble - but I couldn't have left him out as he was one of the biggest loves of my life.'

In the book, the former Bad Girls star also kissed and told on jockey Frankie Dettori and actor Vinnie Jones.

Former flames: Claire King's former lovers (L-R) Bob Geldof, Frankie Dettori and Vinnie Jones