Liv on her own, next to Liv and Vinny saying goodbye

Liv Flaherty’s romance with Vinny Dingle in Emmerdale wasn’t plain sailing in anyone’s books, but together they managed to overcome all the obstacles life had thrown in their way and settle down to marital bliss together.

Until Liv’s tragic death, that is.

Vinny’s tentatively beginning a relationship with maneater Gabby Thomas and that’s been tricky too, due to his history with Liv – who wasn’t just his wife, but also Gabby’s best friend.

So what was the story with Liv and Vinny, and what happened to tragic Liv?

Liv Flaherty laughs
Liv Flaherty was a popular character (Credit: ITV)

Liv and Vinny’s romance in Emmerdale

Vinny and Liv had a lockdown romance! The cute couple hit it off playing together online, and when restrictions were lifted, they started dating for real.

Aww!

Vinny and Liv
Vinny and Liv’s romance started online (Credit: ITV)

Vinny and his dad

When Paul Ashdale came to Emmerdale and revealed he was Vinny’s dad, it took a while for them to rebuild their relationship. Paul got back together with Vinny’s adoptive mum, Mandy Dingle, and things looked good.

But Paul was hiding his gambling addiction, and began abusing Vinny too.

On the morning of Mandy and Paul’s wedding, brave Liv confronted her boyfriend’s abuser – he went for her just as Jimmy King accidentally drove a truck into the wedding barn where they were. Liv forced a confession out of an injured Paul and walked away. Paul later died from his injuries.

The guilt of not getting Paul out ate away at Liv and she turned to alcohol to cope. It split her and Vinny up for a while, but they found their way back to each other eventually.

Liv confronts Paul in the barn
Liv took on Paul when he was abusing Vinny (Credit: ITV)

Liv’s sexuality

Before she met Vinny, Liv had struggled with her feelings around sex and attraction. She eventually realised she was asexual and opened up to her family and friends. When she met Vinny, he was fully supportive and never pressurised her or questioned her. Which is why he’s exploring totally new territory in his relationship with Gabby!

Mandy looks devastated
Mandy was gutted at their wedding betrayal (Credit: ITV)

Liv and Vinny in Emmerdale get married

After Liv was imprisoned for the murder of Ben Tucker, Aaron’s boyfriend, her family disowned her. But Vinny refused to tow the Dingle line and fought tooth and nail to get her freed.

Once the truth about Meena being the killer was revealed, Liv was out and she and Vinny resumed their romance. They decided to get married, but agreed to do so in secret so as not to involve their OTT family.

Mandy was heartbroken when she found out they had eloped and feeling bad, they agreed to a Dingle knees up to celebrate after all.

Liv trapped between the wall and the caravan
Vinny said a sad goodbye to Liv (Credit: ITV)

Liv’s death

In October 2022, a storm raged through Emmerdale, bringing dangerously high winds to the village.

Liv was on her way to look after Eve while Chas had an illicit hook-up with Al Chapman, when a caravan came untethered in the winds. It trapped Liv against a wall and she suffered catastrophic injuries.

In heartbreaking scenes, paramedics told Liv there was nothing they could do to save her. Her lower body was crushed and the caravan was keeping her alive.  Aaron came to say goodbye and then Vinny spent his final, sad moments with his wife.

Sob!

Vinny and Gabby kiss
Vinny is moving on with Gabby (Credit: ITV)

Moving on

Now Vinny’s trying to build a relationship with Gabby, and we reckon he deserves a bit of happiness after all he’s been through.

Can they make it work?

Emmerdale usually airs weeknights on ITV at 7.30pm.

Classic Emmerdale usually airs every weekday on ITV3 at 6am and 6.30am, plus 1.40pm and 2.10pm.

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