Embattled comedian Bill Cosby cracks a rape joke on stage after months of sex assault allegations

BILL Cosby seems to be taking multiple sexual assault allegations in his stride, making a joke about rape on stage last night during a stand-up gig.

EMBATTLED comedian Bill Cosby seems to be taking multiple sexual assault allegations in his stride, seemingly making a joke about rape in the middle of a stand-up performance overnight.

The 77-year-old television star made the off-colour gag while on stage at a venue in Ontario, Canada, referencing months of controversy that have torn his reputation to tatters.

Angry protests ... demonstrators gather to protest comedian Bill Cosby's second performance in Canada at the Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario. Picture: AP Photo

National Post reporter Richard Warnica was inside and tweeted a shocking exchange between Cosby and a front-row audience member, who got up in the middle of his performance.

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When he asked where she was going, the woman replied she needed a drink and asked if he would like one too. He declined.

“You have to be careful about drinking around me,” he said.

Under fire ... dozens of women have accused Bill Cosby of sexually assaulting them, with many saying they were drugged and raped by the star. He denies all allegations. Picture: AP Photo

The crowd initially gasped, before erupting into “cheers and applause”, Warnica wrote of the moment.

Dozens of women have come forward to accuse The Cosby Show star of raping them, with some claims dating back four or more decades. Many allege they were drugged and assaulted.

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But that hasn’t stopped the ageing comedian from touring, at least where venues will still welcome him, and he made a second appearance at the Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario overnight.

Growing accusations ... two of Cosby’s alleged victims speak at a press with high-profile lawyer Gloria Allred, who is representing a long list of women who say they were raped by the comedian. Picture: Getty Images

Despite vocal protests outside, Cosby received a standing ovation inside. Security at the performance was tight, with Cosby escorted in and out of the building by bodyguards.

The audience was also given a written warning on entry that heckling would be met with removal.

A man who screamed at Cosby as he left was detained by security and arrested when he refused to give his name to police.

Not funny ... protesters scream at audience members arriving for Bill Cosby’s stand-up performance in Ontario, Canada overnight. Picture: AP Photo

Meanwhile, a journalist who filmed the arrest was also escorted from the venue.

Cosby continues to deny all allegations levelled against him. Many of the women have enlisted high-profile litigator Gloria Allred to represent them in a possible civil lawsuit.

Originally published as Embattled comedian Bill Cosby cracks a rape joke on stage after months of sex assault allegations