Tiger King star Joe Exotic has won a minor victory in his battle to be freed from jail in the US.

In 2019 the 58-year-old was sentenced to 22 years in prison after being found guilty on a number of charges, including animal cruelty and a plot to murder his long-time rival Carole Baskin.

Exotic has continued to plead his innocence, arguing widespread corruption at the Department of Justice, and unsuccessfully petitioned Donald Trump for a presidential pardon during his time in office.

In an appeals court ruling on Wednesday, a three-member panel agreed to vacate the 22-year sentence on the grounds that the murder plot charges were treated separately rather than as just one count.

Exotic's conviction still stands, however, and he will now be resentenced - with the distinct possibility that the 22-year term could be shortened, although most likely only to 17-21 years.

While in prison, Exotic is working on his auto-biography and has also launched a contest to find a new love interest - The Bachelor King - following the collapse of his second marriage.