Claire King has teased that there's a "chance" she may return to 'Emmerdale'.

Speculation has been rife over whether the 54-year-old actress may reprise her role as Kim Tate - a part she played for 10 years until 1999 - in the long-running soap after she announced her decision to leave 'Coronation Street' earlier this year as Erica Holroyd.

But, although she insists there's nothing on the cards at the moment, Claire has admitted she may be willing to return to the Dales in the future as the door was always left open for her.

Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, she said: "The door isn't closed, it's still left ajar. I didn't die last time so there's always a chance of that.

"I mean it's a different generation now, it's a generation on, obviously her son would be early twenties now, who knows."

Many of Claire's storylines revolved around her alter ego's volatile, turbulent marriage to Frank Tate (Norman Bowler), who she watched die without doing anything to help him, as well as embarking on two affairs and her ill-fated marriage to second husband Steve Marchant (Paul Opacic).

And because of her character's unpredictable nasty streak, Claire believes the village of 'Emmerdale' was probably one of the most "dangerous place to live" for anyone who crossed her path.

She said: "I mean I've always thought 'Emmerdale' was a very dangerous place to live, mainly because of Kim Tate really, but I mean obviously 'EastEnders', inner city, that sort of thing."

However, not everyone agrees with Claire as research gathered from super-fans of the UK's favourite soaps - and put together by ADT Security - has found that 'EastEnders' is actually most dangerous soap to live in - with over 10 times as many break-ins and fires than the least dangerous, 'The Archers'.

Claire is working with leading security expert ADT to support its research into the many risks that exist in the world of soap operas due to their lax approach in protecting their homes and businesses. For more information on ADT, visit www.adt.co.uk