Bill Cosby jokingly warns woman to 'be careful drinking around me'

The TV star faces allegations of drugging and raping young women

Bill Cosby made a controversial joke last night and acknowledged rape allegations (Getty Images)

Bill Cosby jokingly told an audience member to be careful drinking around him during a comedy performance in Ontario, Canada last night.

The star of much-loved TV programme The Cosby Show has been the subject of a number of allegations from women who claim he raped them after spiking their drinks or plying them with alcohol.

Cosby, 77, has denied the allegations, which his lawyer has described as “decades old” and “discredited”.

He made the joke to a woman who got up from her seat. When he asked why she was leaving, she said she was going to get a drink, and he replied: “You have to be careful about drinking around me.”

The joke was met with applause.

Despite warnings distributed by the venue that any disruption or heckling would not be tolerated, one audience member stood up and shouted that Cosby was a rapist, which was met with boos from the audience. The man was escorted out of the venue.

Watch the heckle here:

“Dear fans: one outburst but over 2,600 loyal, patient and courageous fans enjoyed the most wonderful medicine that exist for humankind. Laughter. I thank you, the theatre staff (Budweiser Gardens), the event organisers and the London, ON community for your continued honour and support. I’m far from finished,” he said in a statement after the performance.

Cosby is currently on tour and has been met with protestors carrying placards outside venues.