Real-life love story of Bradley Johnson: 'Relationship' with co-star, romantic proposal and a first-time dad joy

Vinny is getting lucky in love on screen too
Carena Crawford
By Carena Crawford

Emmerdale star Bradley Johnson is having a good old time of it at the moment as his on-screen alter ego Vinny Dingle has finally taken the next step with Lewis Barton and made things official.

And off-screen, life is equally good for Bradley and his girlfriend, Sammie. They have welcomed their first child together and are set to get married as well!

Emmerdale star Bradley Johnson and girlfriend Sammie Johnstone

Bradley and Sammie have been together for five years. He proposed to Sammie in October 2023 in Rome and they announced their engagement on social media.

Alongside a picture of them posing in front of the Colosseum, Bradley captioned the shot: “When in Rome…” with an engagement ring emoji. Sammie’s new sparkler could be seen on display in the photo.

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His Emmerdale co-stars were quick to send their congratulations, with Natalie Ann Jamieson (Amy) among the first to comment: Congratulations!!! Can’t believe she said yes!? hahaha. Lots of love you beautiful pair,” she wrote.

Dean Andrews (Will Taylor) added: “Congrats you two lovebirds.”

“Oh my god!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bradders!!!! Congratulations!!!!!!!! So happy for you mate,” screamed Amy Walsh aka Tracy Robinson.

On-screen mum, Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle shared: “BEST NEWS EVER!!! Congratulations.”

Sammie and Bradley smile on holiday
Babymooning in Italy (Credit: Instagram/bradleyjakehonson)

Bradley Johnson makes baby announcement

In June 2024, Bradley revealed the really exciting news that he’s going to become a first-time dad as his fiancée was pregnant.

Bradley shared the update via his social media account using a picture of a cake with the message ‘baby coming December 2024’ iced upon it.

As well as the cake we were treated to some Polaroids of their pregnancy journey. One showed Sammie’s baby-bearing belly and pics of them holding scan photos.

In the caption below the post, Bradley wrote simply: ‘Mum and Dad,’ signing off with a love heart emoji. Once again on-screen mum Lisa Riley led the charge of comments: “LOVE YOU BOTH SO SO SO SO MUCH at long long last I can tell everyone-you are both going to be the absolute BEST!!! YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! so excited!!!! I’ve said congratulations to you both over a hundred times ,” she wrote. Sounds like she’s excited, doesn’t it?

The couple then babymooned in Italy as they await their new arrival. Bradley shared pictures of him and Sammie with her gorgeous baby bump on display.

Bradley is loving his family time (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Bradley is loving his family time (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Welcoming their first child

Bradley confirmed via Instagram that their baby boy, Albie, had arrived on November 19 2024.

In the Instagram post on November 23, Bradley wrote: “Albie Jake Johnson. You are absolutely everything.” An adorable image of Albie was included alongside a snap of a wooden plaque revealing Albie’s date of birth and weight – 6lbs 13oz.

Bradley’s Emmerdale co-stars congratulated him on the news, with Lisa Riley of course leading the way: “You know how proud me and Al are of you and Sammie – we love you loads… CONGRATULATIONS… we are available for baby sitting whenever, sending the biggest amount of love.”

Amy Walsh, who plays Tracy Metcalfe, wrote: “Awwwwwwww congratulations!!! He’s early!!!! Hope you’re all doing amazing! He’s beautiful xxxx” and Isabel Hodgins, who plays Victoria Sugden, added: “He is delicious. Sending my love to all three of you. Congrats xx.”

Bradley has since delighted fans with plenty of pictures of his little boy. One saw him visit the Emmerdale set, and another saw his hair styled in a mohawk!

Vinny and Liv were so in love (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)
Vinny and Liv were so in love (Credit: ITV/Shutterstock)

Has Bradley Johnson ever dated Emmerdale co-star Isobel Steele?

Although Bradley and Sammie have been happy together since 2021, that didn’t stop rumours something was going on between Bradley and his on-screen wife Isobel Stelle.

Vinny was happily married to Liv Flaherty in Emmerdale before her death. But despite the rumours, Isobel firmly put the record straight in a previous interview.

Speaking to Metro.co.uk in 2021, Isobel explained why they were constantly presented as a couple off-screen. “Brad is wonderful and such a good friend of mine. We are very similar and work really well together when we have scenes just us two.

“I can see why people jumped to conclusions, seeing two characters spending time together on and off-screen.

“For the record me and Brad are not in a relationship. We are just very good friends who enjoy each other’s company out of work as well as in work.”

Vinny and Lewis delight Mandy (Credit: ITV)
Vinny and Lewis delight Mandy (Credit: ITV)

Vinny Dingle and Lewis Barton in Emmerdale

After Liv’s death in 2022, Vinny was pushed into a relationship with Gabby Thomas when Mandy and Paddy meddled, but although she didn’t want anything more than friends at first she soon began to see him in a new light. They shared a date, had a kiss and soon Vinny lost his virginity to her.

They moved in together, he proposed and a wedding was booked. But it soon became clear Vinny was having doubts – mainly because he tried to kiss best friend Kammy.

Vinny lived in denial for a while about his sexuality and went on a forum for men who didn’t know if they were gay or not. There he met Mike, who he thought was going to help him deal with his mixed-up feelings.

However Mike turned out to be a conman, who beat Vinny up and extorted him for money. Vinny was ashamed and continued to suffer in silence, pushing ahead with his wedding to Gabby.

The couple did get hitched, but weeks later Vinny faced Mike in court. Gabby entered the courtroom to support her new husband just as Vinny confessed how he had met Mike.

Gabby and Vinny tried to make their marriage work, but Gabby knew she could never trust him. They parted ways and since it’s been clear Vinny had a connection with Lewis Barton.

They have failed to act on it until now, but have shared a kiss and spent the night together. Mandy is particularly thrilled that they’re in a new relationship and Vinny has admitted to Kammy that he no longer feels confused and this is what he wants. Aw.

Read more: Who’s leaving Emmerdale? All the cast exits, arrivals and returns