Bradley Johnson

Vinny Dingle EMMERDALE

The arrival of Mandy Dingle’s ‘son’ Vinny taught us that appearances can be deceiving. Given the lad’s age, feckless demeaner and short-sightedness, the assumption was that he was Paddy’s secret son. But as it turns out, Vinny isn’t even Mandy’s child – let alone related to Paddy! He’s a whizzkid who counts cards and robs casinos, and that’s all we really know…

However, with lots of drama ahead, Vinny’s real-life alter ego Bradley

Johnson tells us that Emmerdale viewers won’t be kept in the dark about his character for much longer.

“All I can say to our loyal fans is that I’m beside myself with giddiness for you all to see what’s in store for Vinny,” grins the actor, who joined the Dales early last year. “It’s a fantastic storyline that can go in many different directions…”

Hitting the right notes

Bradley found television fame before he joined Emmerdale, when in 2017 he reached the final of BBC1 talent contest Let It Shine – a show devised by Gary Barlow during his search for singers to star in Take That-inspired musical, The

Band. “I love to sing,” grins Bradley.

“It’s something I will always do, but right now I am focused on Emmerdale.”

New man in town

That’s good to hear, as there will be plenty of drama to keep Bradley busy in the village this year, with the news that former Corrie star Reece Dinsdale (Joe Mcintyre) – who has also directed Emmerdale – is joining the cast as Paul. A blast from Mandy’s past, Paul’s arrival in the Dales could mean that Vinny is in for a rather rude awakening…

“We have lots in store for Vinny when Paul turns up,” teases an Emmerdale spokesperson. “He’s going to stir things up for Vinny and Mandy, but what connection does he have to them?” Are we finally set to find out who Vinny really is?

“I’m so excited for viewers to see what’s in store for Vinny!”