OJ Simpson has been granted parole in the US.

The former American football star has served nine years of a sentence for armed robbery and other charges.

While he could have served a maximum sentence of 33 years, he could now be released as early as October 1st of this year.

In today's parole hearing - which was broadcast live - Mr Simpson said he'd "done his time".

He argued: "I've done it as well and as respectfully as I think anybody can.

"I think if you talk to the wardens, they'll tell you I gave them my word... I believe in the jury system... I've not complained for nine years."

He also insisted he was sorry that "things turned out the way they did".

As well as Simpson himself, parole officers heard testimony from the former football player's daughter Arnelle and one of the sports memorabilia dealers he was convicted of robbing.

Bruce Fromong argued: “We all make mistakes. OJ made his."

"I’m here to say that I’ve known OJ for a long time. I don’t feel he’s a threat to anyone out there [...] I feel that it’s time to give him a second chance.”

Parole officers said Mr Simpson had complied with prison rules, had no prior criminal convictions and posed a minimal risk to the public.

Mr Simpson simply responded: "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

He is currently being held at Lovelock Correctional Center in Nevada, but cannot be released until at least October 1st.

Mr Simpson (70) was famously acquitted of the murder of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman in one of the most high-profile trials of the 1990s.

Additional reporting by IRN