Kevin Spacey 'humbled' after being cleared of sex offences

Kevin Spacey briefly addressed the media following the not guilty verdicts a little while ago.

If you're or in need of a recap, here's his statement in full:

Quote Message: I imagine that many of you can understand that there's a lot for me to process after what has just happened today.

I imagine that many of you can understand that there's a lot for me to process after what has just happened today.

Quote Message: But I would like to say that I'm enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts, carefully, before they reached their decision.

But I would like to say that I'm enormously grateful to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and all of the facts, carefully, before they reached their decision.

Quote Message: I also want to thank the staff inside this courthouse, the security, and all those who took care of us every single day, my legal team... for being here every day." from Kevin Spacey Actor

I also want to thank the staff inside this courthouse, the security, and all those who took care of us every single day, my legal team... for being here every day."

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It's going to be "a very long road ahead" for Spacey to get his career back to where it was when the first allegations emerged, a journalist for entertainment magazine Variety says.

KJ Yossman says that while the not guilty verdict is "a huge win" for Spacey, "whether it will persuade the court of public opinion is another matter".

She tells BBC News: "I think in the interim he will try and pick up work where he is embraced, and welcomed with open arms. That’s probably going to be Europe.

"I think the big question will be if he’s able to pick up work in America, his homeland."

Yossman points out that Spacey has picked up a little bit of work in recent years. One of those films, British film Control, was being held until the outcome of this trial.

This marks the end of a trial that has lasted almost four weeks.

You could clearly see the relief on Spacey’s face after what must have been an intense time.

But this is what the actor wanted.

He vowed he would come to England to defend himself and clear his name.

After being cleared of the nine sex offences he had been charged with, Kevin Spacey walked out of Southwark Crown Court straight into the lenses of the gathered media.

He gave a brief statement, thanking the jury, court staff and his own legal team, saying there was "a lot for me to process" after what had just happened.

Here are few images of the moments outside the court.

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Before allegations of sexual harassment were first publicly made against him in 2017, Kevin Spacey was one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood.

The 64-year-old struck the delicate balance of being both acclaimed and popular - his name regularly drew crowds to the box office, while his performances were praised by critics.

Spacey was well known for roles in Seven, American Beauty, LA Confidential, 21, Horrible Bosses, Baby Driver and the TV series House of Cards, one of Netflix's biggest and earliest hits.

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His performances on stage and screen won him two Oscars, a Tony, an Olivier, a Golden Globe, a Bafta, a Critics Choice and several Screen Actors' Guild Awards. He was given his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999.

But a string of allegations of sexual misconduct made against him - part of a Hollywood reckoning which began with a Harvey Weinstein exposé in October 2017 - brought his career to a halt.

Spacey, who always denied the claims, then came out as a gay - a move he was criticised for by some figures in the gay community, who suggested he was attempting to shift the focus away from the allegations. The actor later expressed his regret for this, saying that was never his intention.

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if you're just joining us, here's a look at what's been happening this afternoon:

• Kevin Spacey has been cleared at London's Southwark Crown Court of all nine sex offences with which he had been charged
• The 64-year-old Oscar winner - whose birthday is today - cried in court when he heard the not guilty verdicts
• Spacey said he was "humbled" by the outcome in a brief statement outside court
• The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it "respects" the decision of the jurors

Before coming out to speak to the press, Spacey met five members of the jury in the foyer of Southwark Crown Court.

Spacey shook hands with the jurors who had stayed behind - thanking them and chatting with them for a few minutes.

Kevin Spacey made a brief statement to journalists when he left Southwark Crown Court.

Spacey said he was "humbled" by the outcome of the trial.

Kevin Spacey was earlier sketched in court at the moment the jury delivered its verdicts.

The actor was drawn by artist Julia Quenzler watching on from the dock as he learnt that he'd been been found not guilty on all nine counts of sexual offences.

Julia QuenzlerCopyright: Julia Quenzler

Press from across the world were waiting outside Southwark Crown Court for Spacey.

As he spoke, crowds gathered to hear his words and he turned back towards the courtroom to thank the staff.

There were some whoops and cheers after Spacey finished speaking to the press.

People shouted out “Kevin” and “House of Cards” as he walked away.

He was ushered into a waiting taxi by some staff as fans followed him trying to get a picture.

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Spacey ends his brief statement by thanking the staff in the courthouse, the security and his legal team.

He says that's all he has to say, and leaves without taking questions from journalists.

Kevin Spacey says there's a lot for him to process after what has happened today.

He says he is "enormously grateful" to the jury for having taken the time to examine all of the evidence and facts carefully before they reached their decision.

"I am humbled by the outcome today," he adds.

Lots of journalists have gathered outside waiting for Spacey to leave Southwark Crown Court.

We're expected to get a statement in the next few minutes.

We're expecting some words from Kevin Spacey's side any moment.

The actor is coming out now and is shaking hands and talking to jurors.

We'll let you know what he says.

We've just had a statement from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which says its prosecutors "respect" the jury's decision to find Kevin Spacey not guilty.

"The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges," a spokesman says.

"It is the role of the jury to consider the charges and we respect the decision of the court."

Spacey, who has been cleared of nine sexual offences, is celebrating his 64th birthday today.

After being let out of the glass dock, he was greeted by his legal team.

Still looking emotional after the jury cleared him, Spacey hugged his legal team and manager.

He thanked the courtroom staff and went to speak to his defence barrister, Patrick Gibbs KC.

Spacey left the courtroom shortly after the verdicts.

You might notice throughout our coverage of this trial that we've not been naming the four complainants.

That’s because we are not allowed to under UK law.

Anyone who alleges that they are the victim of a sexual offence is automatically legally entitled to lifelong anonymity.

That means it is a criminal offence for the media - or anyone else - to publish their name or anything which identifies them.

This applies to posting on social media too.