Coronation Street actor Andrew Lancel - real name Andrew Watkinson - has been cleared of four counts of indecently assaulting a 15-year-old boy in the 1990s. The actor, 42, from Liverpool had been on trial at Liverpool Crown Court though a jury took just 29 minutes to make its decision and clear the star of all wrongdoing.

Lancel, who played the devious Frank Foster on Coronation Street, was charged in November with indecently assaulting a youngster in 1994 when the pair met at a theatre group. Judge Clement Goldstone QC directed the jury to find Mr Watkinson not guilty on two of six counts he originally faced because the complainant said he couldn't be sure the alleged abuse happened before he turned 15. 

Lancel, who appeared in Coronation Street in January 2011 and March 2012 denied any sexual contact ever took place between himself and the boy and maintained that he was simply a "sort of mentor" to the aspiring actor. His solicitor Stuart Nolan said in a statement, "Andrew would like to thank his family and friends and all parties for their support and prayers.He just wants to spend time with his family."

The actor has also appeared in Cardiac Arrest and The Bill. He posed for photographers outside court in Liverpool on Monday (June 10, 2013) though did not comment on the case.

Andrew LancelAndrew Lancel [R] Had Always Remained Cool Throughout The Trial

Andrew Lancel
Andrew Lancel Was A Popular Member of the Coronation Street Cast