Coronation Street's William Roache has been found not guilty by a jury at Preston Crown Court of two counts of rape and four counts of indecent assault. In a statement he told reporters: "I think we should all be much kinder to ourselves".
Former Coronation Street actress Sherrie Hewson welled up on live TV as the verdicts in the Bill Roache trial were announced.
Speaking on ITV This Morning, she said she was "so thrilled", but added that it "should never, ever have gone this far".
The actress, who played Maureen Webster in the 1990s and again in 2006, said: "We've all backed him for so long and I just thank God for this day.
"We all know Bill. We've worked with him, we know of his innocence and we knew right from the beginning - this should never, ever have gone this far."
Explaining what it has been like amongst his friends, Sherrie said, "I can't tell you the emotional release now for me - let alone him and his family for God's sake".
Read: Coronation Street star Bill Roache cleared of all charges
The Crown Prosecution Service insisted William Roache's celebrity status did not affect their decision to put him on trial.
Coronation Street actor William Roache said there were "no winners" after he was cleared of a string of sexual offences today.
The Coronation Street actor famous for playing Ken Barlow has been cleared of a string of allegations of historic sexual offences.