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William Roache says there are "no winners" after being acquitted of historic sexual abuse charges.
The 'Coronation Street' actor, who was today (06.02.14) found not guilty of four counts of indecent assault and two rapes against girls under 16 between 1965 and 1971, gave a short statement outside Preston Crown Court after the trial jury reached its unanimous decision.
William, 81, told reporters: "I'd like to thank all those who've supported me during this situation.
"First and foremost, ITV Granada for their loyalty and support all the way through.
"And of course, my family, who you have seen.
"I'd like to thank my colleagues and friends who've supported me, and all the people I don't even know who have sent me great support through all this."
The actor - who has played soap favourite Ken Barlow in 'Corrie' since its first episode in 1960 - poignantly ended his brief speech by calling for people to be "kinder" to one another following his court experience.
He added: "In these situations there are no winners. And I think we should all be much kinder to ourselves.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get back to work."
Meanwhile, ITV has issued a statement regarding William's future on the long-running soap, saying: "We look forward to talking to Bill soon about his return to work."
The actor hasn't been seen in 'Corrie' since May 2013, when the historic sexual abuse charges were first brought against him.
William Roache: ‘No winners’ after sexual abuse trial
William Roache says there are "no winners" after being acquitted of historic sexual abuse charges.
The 'Coronation Street' actor, who was today (06.02.14) found not guilty of four counts of indecent assault and two rapes against girls under 16 between 1965 and 1971, gave a short statement outside Preston Crown Court after the trial jury reached its unanimous decision.
William, 81, told reporters: "I'd like to thank all those who've supported me during this situation.
"First and foremost, ITV Granada for their loyalty and support all the way through.
"And of course, my family, who you have seen.
"I'd like to thank my colleagues and friends who've supported me, and all the people I don't even know who have sent me great support through all this."
The actor - who has played soap favourite Ken Barlow in 'Corrie' since its first episode in 1960 - poignantly ended his brief speech by calling for people to be "kinder" to one another following his court experience.
He added: "In these situations there are no winners. And I think we should all be much kinder to ourselves.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get back to work."
Meanwhile, ITV has issued a statement regarding William's future on the long-running soap, saying: "We look forward to talking to Bill soon about his return to work."
The actor hasn't been seen in 'Corrie' since May 2013, when the historic sexual abuse charges were first brought against him.
Royal
A Fathers4Justice campaigner who defaced a portrait of Queen Elizabeth has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment.
Tim Haries, 42, sprayed the word 'help' with purple paint - which is the colour adopted by the campaign group - on an image of the monarch worth £160,000, while it hung in Westminster Abbey on June 13.
He denied the charge of causing criminal damage of more than £5,000 but last month he was granted conditional bail and ordered to return to Southwark Crown Court for sentencing on February 5.
Recorder of Westminster Judge Alistair McCreath told him: "This was a deliberate and planned causing of damage to a valuable item of property on public display, carried out as a publicity exercise."
The father-of-two, who decided to represent himself, said the act was a protest against the "social catastrophe" of fathers not being allowed access to their children.
Haries previously explained: "The pain of losing my children has been like a living bereavement for me.
"I believe that contact denial is a hate crime and an abuse of children's fundamental rights."
In a statement he released through Fathers4Justice he had insisted "children's lives are worth more than any painting".
He explained: "Whilst I disagree with the verdict reached by the jury, I take full responsibility for my actions.
"I would not hesitate to petition the Queen again by peaceful protest on behalf of my children and the millions of children separated from their fathers by the British Government.
"Every Family Court judge who separates fathers from their children does so with the authority of the Queen."
The 11ft by 9ft oil painting by artist Ralph Heimans was bought by Westminster Abbey for £160,000 and cost £7,300 to repair.
Man faces six months in jail for defacing Queen’s portrait
A Fathers4Justice campaigner who defaced a portrait of Queen Elizabeth has been sentenced to six months' imprisonment.
Tim Haries, 42, sprayed the word 'help' with purple paint - which is the colour adopted by the campaign group - on an image of the monarch worth £160,000, while it hung in Westminster Abbey on June 13.
He denied the charge of causing criminal damage of more than £5,000 but last month he was granted conditional bail and ordered to return to Southwark Crown Court for sentencing on February 5.
Recorder of Westminster Judge Alistair McCreath told him: "This was a deliberate and planned causing of damage to a valuable item of property on public display, carried out as a publicity exercise."
The father-of-two, who decided to represent himself, said the act was a protest against the "social catastrophe" of fathers not being allowed access to their children.
Haries previously explained: "The pain of losing my children has been like a living bereavement for me.
"I believe that contact denial is a hate crime and an abuse of children's fundamental rights."
In a statement he released through Fathers4Justice he had insisted "children's lives are worth more than any painting".
He explained: "Whilst I disagree with the verdict reached by the jury, I take full responsibility for my actions.
"I would not hesitate to petition the Queen again by peaceful protest on behalf of my children and the millions of children separated from their fathers by the British Government.
"Every Family Court judge who separates fathers from their children does so with the authority of the Queen."
The 11ft by 9ft oil painting by artist Ralph Heimans was bought by Westminster Abbey for £160,000 and cost £7,300 to repair.
Royal
Britain's Princess Anne says the "balance" at the Olympic Games has moved from athletes to excess.
The 63-year-old royal - who competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics - made her feelings known during a debate among International Olympic Committee (IOC) members on Wednesday (05.02.14) where they were discussing the future of the renown sporting event.
Anne said: "I'm afraid the subject of opening ceremonies is one which I did tend to bang on about at LOCOG.
"I really do believe it is about the athletes - the opening ceremony. Of course, I am old enough that I remember that the opening ceremony I went to was only the athletes.
"So, it has changed quite dramatically over those years but I think the balance of import to me has gone too far the other way.
"There must be a way of re-balancing the importance of the athletes showing they are committing themselves to the Olympic ideal but also making it a celebration. But at the moment it seems to be the celebration and the add-on is the athletes committing the Olympic ideals."
Anne - whose official title is Princess Royal - is the eldest daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, who during the London Olympics Opening Ceremony in 2012 appeared to jump out of a chopper alongside Daniel Craig in the spoof sequence before they arrived outside the stadium in time for her big entrance.
In response to her comments, IOC President Thomas Bach quipped: "I think you can inform the royal family there will be no more parachuting at the Olympic Opening Ceremony."
Princess Anne: Olympics needs to focus on athletes again
Britain's Princess Anne says the "balance" at the Olympic Games has moved from athletes to excess.
The 63-year-old royal - who competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics - made her feelings known during a debate among International Olympic Committee (IOC) members on Wednesday (05.02.14) where they were discussing the future of the renown sporting event.
Anne said: "I'm afraid the subject of opening ceremonies is one which I did tend to bang on about at LOCOG.
"I really do believe it is about the athletes - the opening ceremony. Of course, I am old enough that I remember that the opening ceremony I went to was only the athletes.
"So, it has changed quite dramatically over those years but I think the balance of import to me has gone too far the other way.
"There must be a way of re-balancing the importance of the athletes showing they are committing themselves to the Olympic ideal but also making it a celebration. But at the moment it seems to be the celebration and the add-on is the athletes committing the Olympic ideals."
Anne - whose official title is Princess Royal - is the eldest daughter of Queen Elizabeth II, who during the London Olympics Opening Ceremony in 2012 appeared to jump out of a chopper alongside Daniel Craig in the spoof sequence before they arrived outside the stadium in time for her big entrance.
In response to her comments, IOC President Thomas Bach quipped: "I think you can inform the royal family there will be no more parachuting at the Olympic Opening Ceremony."