Graham Linehan, the 57-year-old co-creator of the television comedy Father Ted, has had his conviction for criminal damage overturned following an appeal hearing in London.

Linehan had previously been found guilty of damaging the mobile phone of transgender activist Sophia Brooks during what was described as a confrontation between the two.

The original conviction related to criminal damage charges stemming from the incident with Brooks. The specific details of the confrontation that led to the damage of the phone were not detailed in available reports.

The appeal hearing took place in London, where Linehan's legal team successfully challenged the original conviction. The grounds for the successful appeal were not specified in the available information.

Linehan is best known for his work as co-creator of the popular British sitcom Father Ted, which ran from 1995 to 1998 and became a cult classic. He has also been involved in various public controversies in recent years.

The overturning of the conviction means Linehan will no longer face the penalties associated with the original criminal damage conviction.