TELEVISION star Ricky Whittle was found not guilty of dangerous driving at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday.

The unanimous decision came from a jury made up of five men and seven women after just over an hour of deliberations.

They also cleared Whittle of the lesser charge of careless driving, despite his admission that his car did knock paparazzo photographer Stephen Farrell to the ground in Duke Street, in the city centre.

On hearing the verdict, the 30-year- old former Strictly Come Dancing and Hollyoaks star kissed his female probation officer in the dock goodbye, while Mr Farrell stormed from the court room.

Speaking on the court steps, Whittle said: “I’m very pleased with the decision.”

He thanked his legal team and police and said: “I’m pleased that justice has prevailed and that the truth is out.”

He added: “Lastly I want to thank the people of Liverpool and the Mersey because they really have supported me on the way in and the way out from the courts.

“It’s been really touching. I have had so much support and messages and I just really want to thank them.”

The actor denied the charge of dangerous driving after his car struck Mr Farrell on November 27, 2009, as he tried to evade paparazzi in the wake of his split from fellow Hollyoaks star Carley Stenson.

Giving evidence during the trial Whittle said he regretted the incident, but maintained that it was an unintentional accident.

Mr Farrell was left with a sprained knee and bruised hand as a result of the incident.

Yesterday, the star's ex-girlfriend, Miss Stenson, arrived at court with Whittle and her friend, Helen Slaine, to testify.

In her evidence, she described Whittle as "laid back".

When asked about that night by Paul Driver, QC, defending, she said: “As far as I can remember, I just wanted to go home.

“I didn’t want to give them that shot that they wanted because I felt invaded.

“Ricky got out and asked them politely could they just stop because we’re having a hard time of it.” Explaining why she smiled for the cameras, despite not wanting to be photographed, Miss Stenson said: “If you ever look like you don’t want to have your picture taken, they seem to write nasty things about you.”

“So you’re putting a brave face on it?” Mr Driver asked. “Pretty much,” she replied.

“I think I was thinking it was pretty pathetic.”

She told the court she heard “a clunk” as Whittle’s red American Dodge truck moved off, which she assumed to be Mr Farrell’s camera.