Emmerdale star Bradley Johnson has said he 'can confirm' that viewers' eyes weren't deceiving them and that he did appear in the long-running show years before he played Vinny Dingle.
The actor has been flooded with messages of love and praise this week as he was seen bowing out of the ITV soap after almost eight years in his role.
Vinny's Arrival and Exit
Fans will recall that Vinny arrived in the village back in 2019 alongside his mum, Mandy Dingle, played by Bury-born actress Lisa Riley. After being abandoned by his father, Paul Ashdale, Vinny was raised by Mandy, Paul's former girlfriend, and became an honorary Dingle.
But just as he appeared to be starting a new chapter in the village with boyfriend Lewis Barton, it was revealed Vinny was hiding a devastating secret, as it was revealed that he was responsible for the deaths of fellow villagers, Jimmy King and Dawn Fletcher.
During Monday's (October 11) episode of Emmerdale, Vinny was seen heading to court to learn his fate. Mandy and her husband, Paddy Kirk, watched as the judge delivered her verdict, confirming she would make an example of Vinny to discourage others from using mobile phones while driving, before sentencing him to a decade behind bars.
Bradley's Confirmed Cameo
But in addition to his exit airing on the main show, it appears that fans have spotted Bradley's first-ever appearance in Emmerdale in the classic episodes that air on ITV3. Sharing a picture of his cameo on the TV screen on Instagram, he said: "I've been sent this loads!! I can confirm this is me! I was an extra in Emmerdale in 2009, I was 12 [crying laughing face]."
Bradley's Farewell Message
After his final scenes as Vinny aired, Bradley took to Instagram with a video addressing his exit, and reflected on his time on the soap. "So, if you're watching this video, it means that Vinny's journey has sadly come to an end," he started. "And I just wanted to come on here and do this video just to say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you so, so much."
"If someone would have told me all them years ago that I would have been doing seven-and-a-half years in Emmerdale, I wouldn't have believed them, and I am so, so grateful for the opportunity. So, to all the cast members, the crew, directors, producers, anyone that I have met throughout my Emmerdale journey, I want to thank you because I have made friends for life in that place."
Bradley continued: "As an actor, Vinny as a character has been so fun to play, and I've had some incredible storylines. From the abuse storyline, to being a big part of the 50th with Liv dying, and more recently, Vinny and Gabby, Vinny and Lewis. He's not very lucky in love, is he?!"
He gave a special mention to Lisa, saying: "She was there on my very first day on set until the very last, and this journey wouldn't have been the same without you, Lisa. So, thank you. Thank you for all the help and guidance. To play Mandy Dingle's son, that's pretty special!"
Bradley then concluded by looking to the future, as he added: "I'm 30 next year, it's a big age! And it's a big age to, sort of, start a new chapter in my life. So, I'm excited, I'm scared, I'm apprehensive of what's to come. But I've got a feeling [that] next year's going to be a very good year. So, please keep following along for the next part in my life. But [for] one final time, thank you to Emmerdale for changing my life, and thank you guys for all the support. It means the world. So, all that's left to say is Vinny Dingle, over and out. Love you guys."
