Emmerdale fans think that Vinny’s birth dad will soon arrive in the village – and they’re sure they already know who he is.
On Tuesday (March 17), the Emmerdale revealed Vinny‘s heartbreaking backstory as Mandy Dingle opened up to Lydia Hart and Sam Dingle.
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After Vinny took the blame for Samson Dingle pawning mum Alice’s wedding ring, Mandy suspected he wasn’t being honest.
Cue Vinny’s dad coming back on the scene anytime soon.
Eventually, her ‘son’ came clean, admitting he was covering for Samson to protect him – as he didn’t want Sam to turn against his own son.
When the truth eventually came out, Sam was horrified to discover his son was to blame.
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When Sam questioned why on earth Vinny would cover for Samson like that, he revealed his secret.
Vinny and Mandy told a shocked Sam, Lydia and Samson that he wasn’t really Mandy Dingle’s son.
Mandy explained how she was in a relationship with Vinny’s dad Paul, until he abandoned them, leaving Mandy with the tough decision of handing Vinny into care, or keeping him herself.
Of course, we now know, she kept him after she fell in love with him.
She told Sam and Lydia: “He was nine months old when I first clocked eyes on him.
“Little mite, screaming the street down in this soiled onesie and I looked into his pram and I just knew someone had to look after him.
“I was on a first date with his dad Paul. I moved in with him by the end of the week, you know me I don’t do anything by halves.”
She added: “We were happy and then the wheels started to fall off. Paul got himself into this mess and it just got bigger and bigger.
“One day he walked away and never came back, two days after Vinny started school. I was no-one, just this random woman that his dad had shacked up with.
“I had to make a choice. Do I become the mum he never had or do I put him into care. The easiest call I’ve ever had to make.”
But despite Mandy not being Vinny’s real mum or even his legal guardian, the family agreed that he was a true Dingle and accepted him as one of their own.
I think we’re gonna meet him some time in the future. We’ve still a new character played by Reece Dinsdale (think that’s his name) arriving any time soon.
— Booklover extraordinaire (@Stephan63772037) March 17, 2020
Cue Vinny’s dad coming back on the scene anytime soon!! 🙄😏#Emmerdale
— Swalk (@Samanth22356123) March 17, 2020
Ah, so Vinny’s dad is… @reece_dinsdale #Emmerdale
— Sal (@sallhype) March 17, 2020
That really wasn’t what I had imagined about Vinny’s past. I was kind of expecting something crazier. Though the fact that we don’t know who the father is leaves the doors open for that. #emmerdale
— Brenda (@Brenda_Co) March 17, 2020
Those at home were quick to start speculating about Vinny’s last name – which hadn’t been revealed – and the possible arrival of his birth dad.
One tweeted: “I think we’re gonna meet [the dad] some time in the future. We’ve [got] a new character played by Reece Dinsdale arriving any time soon.”
Another said: “Cue Vinny’s dad coming back on the scene anytime soon!”
A third added: “Ah, so Vinny’s dad is… @reece_dinsdale #Emmerdale.”
“That really wasn’t what I had imagined about Vinny’s past,” said another. “I was kind of expecting something crazier. Though the fact that we don’t know who the father is leaves the doors open for that. #Emmerdale.”
![FROM ITV STRICT EMBARGO until 00:01 Friday 7th February 2020 EMMERDALE DOUBLE TROUBLE IN THE DALES Following Emmerdale’s fourth consecutive win in the Best Serial Drama category at the National Television Awards, the show is pleased to announce Mark Womack and Reece Dinsdale will be joining the cast. Mark will play DI Malone a police officer with a dark history and Reece will take on the role of Paul a blast from Mandy Dingles (Lisa Riley) past who will certainly stir things up for her and Vinny (Bradley Johnson). Both characters will be on screen this spring. Mark is known for his roles in Liverpool 1 and Murphy’s Law and Reece Coronation Street and Home to Roost. Mark said ‘It’s always a lot of fun to play the bad guy and Malone definitely falls into that category. I'm looking forward to the audience seeing his twisted tale unfold on screen.’ Reece [PICTURED] said ‘I'm absolutely delighted to be joining the cast of Emmerdale. Having recently directed a couple of episodes, and seen at close quarters the superb work the cast, crews and creatives produce, I can't wait to become part of the team once again... albeit in a different capacity. Time to get my acting boots back on! ' Producer Laura Shaw said ‘We are absolutely thrilled to have Reece Dinsdale and Mark Womack joining the Emmerdale family. Although playing very different characters, both come with huge stories that will see lives changed and big explosions in 2020. We're all very excited to see these two hugely talented and experienced actors grace our screens. Press Contacts: Sian Hunter 0113 222 7112 sian.hunter@itv.com Emily Ogden 0113 222 7110 emily.ogden@itv.com Janine Goodall 0113 222 7121 janine.goodall@itv.com Picture editor: David Crook 0161 952 6214 david.crook@itv.com Photographer - Mark Bruce This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms](https://cdn.entertainmentdaily.com/2020/02/06151515/Screenshot-2020-02-06-at-15.15.10.png)
Hawk-eared viewers will have noticed that Vinny’s dad is also called Paul.
We’re told that Paul, a blast from Mandy’s past, will stir things up for Mandy and Vinny.
Corrie viewers will know that Reece played Joe McIntyre from 2008 until 2010, when his character died in horrible circumstances.
Known for his bad luck, Joe was killed whilst trying to fake his own death in order to claim insurance money.
Reece said about joining Emmerdale: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the cast of Emmerdale.
“Having recently directed a couple of episodes, and seen at close quarters the superb work the cast, crews and creatives produce, I can’t wait to become part of the team once again… albeit in a different capacity.
“Time to get my acting boots back on!”
Are you looking forward to seeing Reece arrive as Paul? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!