So, Tina Dingle is Vinny's mum in Emmerdale - full timeline of Vinny's parental history explained as fans speculate Frank Tate is his dad

Last night’s episode of Emmerdale dropped the bombshell news that Tina Dingle is Vinny’s estranged mother. The youngster arrived on the soap in 2019, rocking up with maternal figure Mandy as she returned to the village.

It was soon revealed that Mandy wasn’t Vinny’s biological mother, with Mandy taking him in at only nine months old. Moving in with his dad, Paul Ashdale, the pair were left alone when he walked out on them.

But where does Tina Dingle fit into all of this – and does that make Vinny a Dingle by blood after all?

Paul talks to Vinny on Emmerdale while Mandy looks on — Paul Ashdale was Vinny’s abusive father (Credit: ITV)

What happened between Mandy, Vinny and Paul on Emmerdale?

With Vinny still a child, Mandy continued to raise him as her own. Arriving in Emmerdale in 2019, Vinny was welcomed into the family and has been in the Dingles’ midst ever since.

In 2020, estranged father Paul arrived in the village, looking for his son. In spite of Mandy’s reticence, the family soon reconciled, with Paul and Mandy getting back together as father and son bonded.

However, things took a turn for the worse when gambling addict Paul began abusing his son, both emotionally and physically. Paul died on the day he and Mandy were supposed to marry, going up in flames in a barn explosion in 2021.

Old family ties have begun to resurface in the wake of Zak Dingle’s death – and the return of Mandy’s cousin, Tina. Tina, it was revealed, is Vinny’s mother.

But where does that leave Paul and Mandy?

Tina menaces Mandy on Emmerdale — Tina’s back, and she’s looking for her son (Credit: ITV)

Tina Dingle is Vinny’s mother, Emmerdale reveals

In last night’s episode (Monday, October 21), the truth came out as Tina confronted a tearful Mandy.

“I’ve come for everything that is mine. Vinny is such a sweet boy, it makes me sad thinking about everything I have missed out on,” an aggressive Tina told her horrified cousin.

This bombshell news would make it appear that Tina and Paul were originally together prior to Vinny’s birth – suggesting an affair or sudden recoupling between Mandy and Paul.

However, some fans have another theory.

Frank leans over to talk to Tina on Emmerdale — Frank Tate had strong feelings for Vinny’s mum (Credit: ITV)

Frank Tate is Vinny’s dad, fan theory suggests

Writing on X as the latest episodes aired, some fans wondered whether there could be another twist in store. And some suspected that Frank Tate could be Vinny’s dad.

“Is Frank Tate Vinny’s father ????” asked one fan. Another added: “Could Frank Tate be Vinny’s real father?”

During her original stint on Emmerdale, Tina did grow close to Frank Tate – who even proposed to her while on a business trip together. He continued to pressure her to accept his proposal until her exit from the village in 1996.

Wait, 1996?

“And before anyone suggests it…Vinny was born in 2001. NOT another of Frank Tate’s children,” said another fan, seemingly putting that particular theory to rest.

However, with Emmerdale already having retconned Vinny’s past this much, would a bit of a fudge with the years be all that beyond them?!

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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