Some viewers are wondering if Vinny Dingle’s father is someone other than Paul Ashdale, after it was revealed Tina Dingle was his real mum on the ITV soap

An Emmerdale DNA bombshell this week left fans questioning if a paternity twist was on the way for Vinny Dingle.

Fans learned this week that former character Tina Dingle was the biological mother of Vinny, raised by her cousin Mandy Dingle. While fans always knew Mandy wasn’t his biological mum, they had no idea that Tina was.

Tina made her return to the ITV soap recently after 28 years away, and it soon became clear she was after the Dingle home. Following the death of her father Zak Dingle, Tina threatened Mandy and claimed she was back to get what was hers including her son.

Samantha Power has taken on the role of Tina, with original actress Jacqueline Pirie not returning to the role after her last onscreen appearance in 1996. Last week we saw her clash with her family after decades away, estranged from them all – except for Mandy.

But was Tina in a relationship with Vinny’s dad Paul Ashdale, or is Paul even Vinny’s dad? As far as we are aware Paul is in fact the biological father of Vinny as said years ago.

Tina left in 1996 after drama with her boss Frank Tate (Image: ITV)

But this hasn’t stopped some viewers being left convinced Vinny could be a secret Tate. Viewers may recall that Tina left in 1996 after drama with her boss Frank Tate.

Frank tried to pressure Tina into a relationship with him, even proposing to her and when she rejected him, he refused to back down. Tina confided in Mandy about being harassed and soon she left the village for a job in London.

It doesn’t seem anything happened between them, but even if it did the timings do not match up. Tina left in 1996 and Frank died in 1997. Vinny is thought to have been born in 2001 which is five years after Tina left, and four years after Frank died.

This has not stopped the theory spreading though with fans convinced somehow, Frank is the father of Vinny. One fan posted: “Is Frank Tate Vinny’s father????” as another asked: “Is Vinny the secret lovechild of Frank Tate?”

It’s hardly surprising viewers would come to this conclusion given all the secret sons and daughters and offscreen twists we’ve seen on the show. That said some fans immediately denied the rumour, with one writing: “Frank died years before Vinny was born,” as another said: “And before anyone suggests it… Vinny was born in 2001. NOT another of Frank Tate’s children.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays.