Comedian Bill Cosby, accused of over a dozen sexual assaults, is expecting to be heckled at his upcoming London show.
The star issued a statement today ahead of planned stand-up performances in Kitchener, Hamilton and London.
"If a disruption occurs, please remain calm until the matter is resolved and do not confront the person making the disruption," writes Cosby.
Many residents have urged Budweiser Gardens to cancel the show amid growing allegations of sexual assault, many dating back decades to his time as a sitcom star on The Cosby Show. Officials say the contract agreement does not allow them to cancel his appearance.
Groups are planning to gather outside Budweiser Gardens around 6pm on Thursday in protest, while others who were denied ticket refunds say they make their voices heard from inside the venue.
At least 10 shows on Cosby's tours were cancelled or postponed. NBC dropped a sit-com pilot starring Cosby and Netflix postponed the launch of the Bill Cosby: 77 comedy special.
In 2006, Cosby settled a lawsuit with a woman who alleged he drugged and raped her in 2004. There were a total of 13 women with similar stories who agreed to testify had the case gone to trial.
Other protests and sexual assault awareness campaigns are planned in Kitchener and Hamilton as Cosby arrives.
"I"m going to give them the show of my life," Cosby says in his statement.
