Vinny Dingle (Bradley Johnson) faces an uncertain future in Emmerdale after being charged with causing the deaths of two village mainstays. The show favourite answered a video call from Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham) while driving earlier this month, listening as she lamented about Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) dumping her for Dawn (Olivia Bromley).
Vinny was on cloud nine after picking up an engagement ring ahead of a plan to propose to Lewis Barton (Bradley Riches), but things took a devastating turn when he took his eyes off the road, with an oncoming vehicle – driven by Jimmy King (Nick Miles) – forced to swerve. Jimmy went straight through the marquee where Dawn was set to wed Joe Tate (Ned Porteous), which led to both he and bride-to-be Dawn dying in emotional scenes.
Vinny's arrest and charge explained
After keeping quiet for weeks, Vinny came clean this week and faced the music, with Billy punching him repeatedly while Nicola King (Nicola Wheeler) called the police. With Vinny's fate up in the air, the question is: is he leaving Emmerdale?
It was reported earlier in the year that Vinny star Bradley Johnson was set to exit the ITV soap after 7 years. A source told The Sun in May: 'Bradley is a very popular member of the cast and especially close with his on-screen Dingle family.'
On screen, Vinny is arrested and charged with his crimes after Nicola reports him to the police. If the reports are true, fans will just have to wait and see how exactly his exit storyline comes about.
What could happen to Vinny?
There is real concern among Vinny's loved ones that he'll go to jail, and DS Ramsden (Chelsea Edge) said it was likely he'd face a custodial sentence for what he's done.
Will Vinny depart the village in the back of a prison van? Or will he perhaps face the wrath of someone like Joe, who is known for taking revenge on those who have wronged him? Spoilers for next week confirm that he and Lewis split, so the wedding he was so desperately looking forward to likely won't be happening now.
Will he find himself on the receiving end of the locals' rage now that the truth about his role in Dawn and Jimmy's deaths is public knowledge?
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 or streams from 7am on ITVX and YouTube.
