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Actress accuses Cosby of making advances on set of comedy show

A FORMER fashion model and actress has said that Bill Cosby made sexual advances and lewd gestures towards her on the set of The Cosby Show.

Helen Gumpel, formerly known as Helen Selby, says Cosby, pictured, had her sit on a couch in his dressing room, where he handed her a drink then stood in front of her with his crotch in her face.

Ms Gumpel held a news conference in Boston yesterday.

Cosby (77) faces sexual assault accusations from at least 15 women.

He has denied the allegations and has never been charged with a crime.

Yesterday Cosby cancelled back-to-back comedy shows at Boston's Wilbur Theatre where demonstrators threatened to rally.

He told the Boston Globe that he had cancelled because of impending "treacherous" weather.

The Wilbur Theatre said tickets would be refunded where patrons purchased them, according to an announcement posted on its web-site yesterday morning.

It apologised for the abrupt change but did not say why the two shows were cancelled.

Women's groups had been expected to rally in opposition to Cosby's shows.

Some of his performances elsewhere have drawn protests. Some have been cancelled.