Farewell to One of Emmerdale’s Most Disturbing Villains

Emmerdale fans are saying goodbye to one of the soap’s darkest and most complex villains as Graham Connolly, better known by his alias Mike, exits the village for good. Portrayed by Macaulay Cooper, the manipulative conman leaves behind a legacy of deceit, emotional cruelty, and unforgettable performances that shook even the toughest Dingle hearts.

On-screen, Mike’s reign of terror has finally come to an end. But off-screen, the man behind the monster is earning nothing but praise from his co-stars — including Emmerdale legend Lisa Riley, who described Cooper as “a real softy and a beautiful person” despite his chilling on-screen persona.

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“A Beautiful Person” Behind the Villain

Lisa Riley, who plays Mandy Dingle, took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message celebrating her co-star’s powerful work. “So so so lovely working with the brilliant @macaulaycooper,” she wrote. “He played the part of mean, nasty, horrible, manipulative Mike in Emmerdale — but trust me when I say, he’s a real softy and a beautiful person. Welcome in PAMPAMANDA anytime!”

Macaulay responded warmly, writing: “Such a legend! It was an absolute honour and pleasure working alongside you! Thank you for being so welcoming and making me feel at ease during our scenes!”

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Cast Unite in Praise

Macaulay’s portrayal of the predatory conman has been hailed across the Emmerdale cast. Bradley Johnson, who plays Vinny Dingle, the primary victim of Mike’s abuse, shared his admiration for Cooper’s work, writing:

“Massive shoutout to @macaulaycooper for his outstanding performance! He’s an absolute top bloke off-screen, and his portrayal of Mike is spot on. Last night’s episode was a hard watch, but this story is crucial and has to be talked about.”

He added that filming the storyline had been “long and challenging” but rewarding thanks to the team’s dedication — singling out director Marcus Lee for steering the emotional scenes.

Co-star Shebz Miah (Kammy Hadiq) joined in the applause, calling Cooper a “top bloke” who “smashed it,” while Ash Palmisciano (Matty Barton) and Kevin Mathurin (Charles Anderson) both commended his performance as “amazing” and “blinding.”

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Mike’s Reign of Terror

Viewers first met “Mike” as a seemingly kind figure offering emotional support to Vinny Dingle, who was struggling with confusion over his sexuality. Pretending to understand and sympathize, Mike quickly gained Vinny’s trust — only to use it against him in a brutal act of manipulation and violence.

After recording Vinny’s private confessions and beating him senseless, Mike extorted him for £10,000 and even stole his and fiancée Gabby Thomas’s wedding rings. When the police later discovered Mike’s true identity as Graham Connolly, it became clear that Vinny wasn’t his only victim.

Despite his trauma, Vinny bravely testified in court, revealing the full truth about Mike’s crimes. His courage ensured justice was finally served, ending Graham Connolly’s reign of terror and closing one of Emmerdale’s most harrowing storylines.

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A Powerful Goodbye

Following his final scenes, Macaulay Cooper shared a behind-the-scenes look at his time on Emmerdale, posting photos with castmates and crew. “It’s been a pleasure working with you all,” he captioned. “This story meant a lot, and I’m proud to have been part of it.”

Bradley Johnson replied, “Legend!!! Been an absolute pleasure, mate. Hope we get to work together again soon.” Shebz Miah echoed the sentiment: “Well done bruddaaaaa, smashed it!”

With fans and colleagues alike praising both his talent and professionalism, Macaulay Cooper’s departure marks the end of a dark but vital chapter for Emmerdale — one that explored coercion, manipulation, and the strength it takes to speak out.