Bill Cosby: How people are reacting to news he will keep Hollywood Walk of Fame star

Yesterday, Bill Cosby was sentenced for up to ten years in state prison after being found guilty on three counts of sexual assault for the drugging and molestation of Andrea Constand in 2014.

The 81-year-old actor and comedian will now be listed on the sex offenders registry, categorised as a sexual predator and will undergo counselling for the rest of his life.

This is a landmark decision as it makes Cosby the first Hollywood figure in the #MeToo era to be sent to prison for his crimes.

Cosby, was a household name in the 1980s thanks to the incredible popularity of The Cosby Show. His achievements in entertainment are commemorated by a Hollywood Walk of Fame star.

Yet, despite the sentencing, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce has confirmed that Cosby's star will remain on Hollywood Blvd, flying in the face of calls to have it removed.

In a statement given on Tuesday, officials from the organisation said:

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a historical record of entertainment figures past and present.

Once installed, the stars become part of the historic fabric of the Walk of Fame, a 'designated historic cultural landmark,' and are intended to be permanent.

The stars only commemorate the recipient's professional accomplishments.

It is regrettable when the personal lives of inductees do not measure up to public standards and expectations; however, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce does not remove stars from the Walk of Fame.

A petition has already been started to have Cosby's name scrubbed from the star, which has been vandalised on numerous occasions, including one instance where the words 'serial rapist' was written upon it.

On Twitter, reaction to the chamber's decision has been received with widespread anger, disappointment and criticism:

This is far from the first time that the Walk of Fame has been in the news this year.

Donald Trump star which is still in place on the street has been destroyed and vandalised multiple times since he became president, with the West Hollywood city council even threatening to remove it in July.

Although Cosby's star remains on the Walk of Fame, for the time being, there are likely to be more calls to remove the names of Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey and Brett Ratner, who have been accused of similar crimes.

HT Page Six

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