Actor, comedian and author Bill Cosby is at the centre of sexual abuse allegations
Actor, comedian and author Bill Cosby is at the centre of sexual abuse allegations Reuters

Comedian Bill Cosby's representative confirmed that the actor would not be appearing on Late Show with David Letterman as allegations that he sexually abused several women intensify.

A Late Show representative refused to comment and Cosby himself has refused to give a reason for withdrawing from the show.

Another aborted booking on The Queen Latifah Show was called a "postponement" granted at Cosby's request.

Speaking in the Washington Post, Barbara Bowman, one of Cosby's accusers, said that the actor had "won my trust as a 17-year-old aspiring actress in 1985, brainwashed me into viewing him as a father figure, and then assaulted me multiple times".

Stand-up comedian Hannibal Buress unleashed a scathing attack on Cosby during one of his comedy routines. "It's just information that's out there," Buress said in his act.

"Thirteen [women]? And it's even worse because Bill Cosby has the f*****g smuggest old black man public persona that I hate.

"'Pull your pants up, black people. I was on TV in the '80s. I can talk down to you because I had a successful sitcom.' Yeah, but you raped women, Bill Cosby. So, brings you down a couple notches."

Cosby, 77, was never charged in any of the alleged attacks, and settled a civil suit in 2006 with Andrea Constand over an alleged incident in 2004.

Constand, director of operations for Temple University's women's basketball team, alleged that Cosby sexually assaulted her. She filed a civil complaint against Cosby. The five-count lawsuit charged Cosby with battery and assault, and asked for at least $150,000 in damages.

Thirteen women came forward who also alleged similar experiences.

Cosby settled with Constand, although the terms are not disclosed, and none of the 13 other women testified.

Despite repeated calls to answer the allegations, the actor has remained silent. In an interview during the NPR radio show Weekend Edition Saturday, Cosby was quizzed by host Scott Simon: "This question gives me no pleasure Mr Cosby, but there have been serious allegations raised about you in recent days."

When Cosby refused to answer, Simon pressed him again: "You're shaking your head no. I'm in the news business. I have to ask the question. Do you have any response to those charges?"

The Emmy-award winning actor has steadfastly denied all charges.

In an interview with the National Enquirer, he said: "I'm not saying that what I did was wrong, but I apologize to my loving wife, who has stood by my side for all these years, for any pain I have caused her.

"These allegations have caused my family great emotional stress."

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