Emmerdale actor Bradley Johnson has eloped to Nashville with his fiancée, Sammie Johnstone, three months after his character Vinny Dingle was reportedly axed from the ITV soap. The 29-year-old shared the news on Instagram, posting a video of the couple sitting on a swing, with Sammie wearing cowboy boots. In the clip, Bradley points at an envelope and pulls out a marriage certificate as the Bleachers' 'Let's Get Married' plays in the background.
Co-stars congratulate the couple
Bradley captioned the video: "Eloped to Nashville. Married the love of my life." His Emmerdale co-stars were quick to comment, with Jay Kontzle writing: "Congrats brilliant this mate! Wishing you and your family the very best x." On-screen mum Lisa Riley added: "Love love love love and more love coming your way!!! CONGRATULATIONS many years of happiness Love from Me and your Uncle AL." James Hooton also wrote: "Congratulations you two absolute beauties!!!!! Amazing."
A dream come true
Last year, Bradley spoke to the Mirror about his dream of eloping with Sammie and their son. The couple live in Bradford with their young son, Albie. "Being a dad is the most incredible thing ever," he said. "When you become a parent, life changes in a way you can’t ever explain, but it is the most rewarding and amazing thing. Now when I come home and walk through the door, he smiles and it’s such an incredible feeling. I love it."
He also said: "We both love country music and so we have just booked to go to the States to Nashville to get married. It will be Sammie and me and we want to enjoy the time together. The cost of marrying in the UK now is extortionate and we will be able to have a holiday too."
Axed from the soap
The news comes after Bradley was reported to have received his marching orders earlier this year as part of a series of cast cuts on the ITV soap. An Emmerdale source said: "Bradley is a very popular member of the cast and especially close with his on-screen Dingle family. Everyone is shocked that bosses decided to axe him but it’s all part of the ITV cuts and they still need to trim back the cast."
