ITV Emmerdale fans 'work out' Vinny Dingle dad's real identity after mum bombshell

fans are abuzz with rumours over the 'true' identity of Vinny Dingle's father, following a bombshell reveal about his biological mother on Monday (October 21).

The young Vinny Dingle (played by Bradley Johnson), abandoned by his dad Paul Ashdale (Reece Dinsdale), has found a loving home with Mandy Dingle (Lisa Riley), who dated Paul and took Vinny under her wing despite not sharing any blood ties. Indeed, Vinny is wholeheartedly embraced as one of the Dingle clan.

After years shrouded in mystery, Vinny's mum surfaced as Tina Dingle (Samantha Power), making a dramatic return to the village after almost thirty years away, coinciding with the appearance on Thursday (October 17) for Zak Dingle's (Steve Halliwell) sake.

A tearful encounter unfolded as Tina confronted Mandy on Monday, declaring with piercing clarity: "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."

While Mandy vehemently protested, reminding Tina the situation was her own doing, Tina made aggressive claims to Zak's property, shocking Mandy by admitting she had a son and coldly asserting: "It doesn't matter. What's mine is mine. My house, my son.", reports .

Mandy, as Vinny's adoptive mum, was left distraught by Tina's words, which seemingly threatened to expose some painful truths.

However, Tina's sudden disclosure provoked an immediate flurry of online speculation among viewers keen to piece together the puzzle of Vinny's paternal lineage.

Keen followers of the ITV serial drama will recall how Tina was once romantically entwined with Frank Tate (Norman Bowler), the patriarch of Home Farm even receiving a marriage proposal from him, which she ultimately rejected.

Audiences are in a frenzy over the possibility that Frank might be Vinny's real father. One viewer posted on social media: "Low-key think Tina's backstory as Vinny's mum is gonna be really good #Emmerdale."

Another speculated: "So is #Vinny the lovechild of #FrankTate on #Emmerdale?"

Joining the conversation, a third added their two cents: "Do we're now supposed to believe Mandy's ex had a bounce with Tina and had Vinny how bloody stupid is that."

In a surprising revelation, one observer remarked: "Well, fancy that, Vinny is actually a REAL Dingle! And before anyone suggests it...Vinny was born in 2001. NOT another of Frank Tate's children".

Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7:30pm on ITV and ITVX