Emmerdale’s Vinny Dingle actor Bradley Johnson has addressed a possible exit after the character confesses to causing the fatal crash that killed Dawn and Jimmy
Vinny Dingle confesses to causing the fatal crash that killed Emmerdale residents Dawn Taylor and Jimmy King next week.
Bradley Johnson, who plays the guilt-stricken scrapyard worker, says more than one villager may want revenge ahead of a rumoured exit for his character. “It’s heartbreaking,” says Bradley, 29.
“He’s not a bad person. He’s got all the right intentions. And I think from something so stupid that he’s done in an instance has changed the whole dynamic of the village, and it’s caused two people to die.
“He’d be devastated if someone called the police, because he doesn’t want to leave his life behind. But if that’s the consequence of his actions, he’s going to have to deal with it.”
Vinny could face a fate worse than prison though, as Dawn’s grieving partner Joe Tate [Ned Porteous] finds out Vinny caused the crash that killed her on their wedding day. Dawn went into premature labour after the accident, and sadly suffered a fatal haemorrhage, hours after she gave birth to a baby boy.
As villagers fear Joe’s next move after Vinny’s confession, Bradley says Joe’s reaction is unexpected. It becomes clear that Joe doesn’t want to get his own hands dirty, and instead he gets Dawn’s ex Billy Fletcher [ Jay Kontzle ] involved.
Bradley tells us: “Joe is a bit of a dodgy character. I think Vinny expects the reaction to be a lot worse. Then Joe riles Billy up, and ultimately we see Billy beat Vinny up. I think Vinny had expected at least one of them to beat him up.
“It’s awful. I think Vinny is massively guilt-ridden, but ultimately, he’s doing the right thing.” Bradley says that Jimmy’s widow Nicola King [Nicola Wheeler] broadcasts Vinny’s crime to the whole pub. While Nicola’s reaction isn’t violent, what she says leaves Vinny realising the true impact of accidentally killing Dawn and Jimmy.
Bradley explains: “We see Nicola telling Vinny exactly what she thinks about him. Nicola tells him, ‘You’ve left my kids without a dad,’ and it’s really, really horrible for Vinny to hear. But it’s also a weight lifted, because in his head he’s doing the right thing by telling the truth.”
Someone he hasn’t told the truth about the crash is his partner Lewis Barton [Bradley Riches]. Lewis’ dad Kev Townsend [Chris Coghill] has uncovered Vinny’s secret, and has kept quiet for Lewis’ sake.
Next week, Kev continues to urge Vinny not to say anything, and to continue with his plan to marry Lewis. On Vinny’s decision to keep Lewis in the dark about his crime, Bradley says: “I think because Lewis suffers with autism and his emotions are elevated.
“Vinny is very conscious of that, and he’s learned more about how to deal with Lewis during their relationship. Vinny doesn’t want to upset him. They’re in a really, really good place. He’s thinking about proposing. He is madly in love with him, and he thinks he’s found his person.”
Vinny does confess though, and Bradley says his terrified character is prepared to face the repercussions of killing Dawn and Jimmy. Bradley says: “I think in Vinny’s head, it’s, ‘I’m going to take the consequences, whether it be I’m going to get beaten up or I’m going to go to the police.’
“He needs to let his conscience be clean. I think if it was up to me, I’d love Joe to get his revenge on Vinny. But ultimately, I just want Vinny to have a happy ending. He’s been through so much turmoil that he deserves his happily ever after with Lewis.
“I’d love for them just to be happy, and in love, and get married, and have the dream wedding. But it is a weight lifted when he tells the truth, because in his head he’s doing the right thing.”
Another character facing the repercussions of the crash is Vinny’s ex Gabby Thomas [ Rosie Bentham ], who was on the phone to Vinny at the time of the accident. When Nicola finds out that Vinny was distracted by Gabby’s call, causing him to take his eyes off the road, Nicola confronts her niece, Gabby.
While it remains to be seen whether Nicola can forgive Gabby for her involvement in the crash and for concealing the truth about Jimmy’s death, Bradley believes that Vinny’s family, the Dingles, will stand by him.
Bradley says: “I think his mum Mandy [Lisa Riley] will be there for him. Dingles stick by Dingles, and I think ultimately, she’d be there for her son, and guide him in the right path to take.
“I think Mandy would probably say, ‘Do not go to the police. We’ll deal with this in-house and, and keep you out of trouble,’ because Mandy doesn’t want to see Vinny go away. In an ideal world, Vinny would love to confess, and then be forgiven without involving the police so that he can stay in the village.”
Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .
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