Emmerdale fans have predicted a new character is here to stay in the Dales following Wednesday's episode of the long-running soap.
As the opening credits finished, viewers saw Vinny cleaning up after rescue dog Chip as his mum Mandy banged on the door for her son to let her in. Vinny, whose grief for his wife Liv is still raw, has not yet warmed to the dog remotely.
Before Liv's death, the couple were considering getting a rescue dog and in Tuesday's episode, Paddy and Mandy thought it would be nice to surprise Vinny with Chip.
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A stunned Vinny asked: "What? Mine and Liv's rescue dog?", while Paddy explained the dog, whom Vinny and Liv had thought was a "he", was actually a "she". The vet added: "God knows how they got that wrong! Anyway, we think Chip kind of suits her and we thought..."
Vinny initially hit out, claiming his mum and her former flame were trying to replace Liv with a dog. Mandy quickly said that wasn't the case but that they thought the dog could be a "good distraction".
Vinny's indifference towards Chip continued into Wednesday's episode, as fans saw him tell Mandy the dog should be "with someone who gives a stuff" before reluctantly taking her out for a walk.
Despite her not having Vinny as a fan just yet, the adorable pup has clearly won viewers over. Taking to Twitter, Eli said: "Omg Chip, we don't deserve dogs".
Caz said: "Chip is actually my new favourite Emmerdale character", while Stephen Patterson said: "Chip the dog is already my favourite character and I will protect [her] at all costs."
Owen said: "Best newcomer award, Chip me thinks", and Sarah said: "I think I might actually be in love with that beautiful doggo".
Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7.30pm on ITV and the ITV Hub
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