Actor Bill Cosby wowed an audience of nearly 2,000 at the Eastern Florida State College on Friday night despite the accusations made against him by a number of women, including model Janice Dickinson.

It was expected that Cosby would cancel the show because of the recent news that seemed to have tainted his reputation.

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Rumors of a protest swept the internet forums just hours before the actor appeared on stage but, all the veteran actor heard from the audience were sounds of laughter, cheers and sustained applause.

He even received a standing ovation the minute he stepped on stage and was even greeted with a "We love you Bill Cosby" towards the end of his 90 minute appearance, Cosby answered the greeting with a raised fist which in turn made the audience cheer with adoration.

The veteran actor appeared calm and collected on stage and not once mentioned the repeated public accusations made against him.

Tom Field, a member of the audience said that he thinks whatever it was that happened between Cosby and the women is history and should just be forgotten. Another audience member, Heather Joyce believes that the actor is innocent, until he is proven guilty of the claims made against him. 

Before the show started an Orlando based radio jockey offered a US$200 gift card to anyone who disrupts Cosby's appearance.

Unfortunately, the College administrators were ready for protests, seeing as they deployed a number of extra police officers as well as a parking plan that resembled that of Coachella.

They also played a tape that reminded audience members to remain calm if ever a protest developed. 

A protest did develop, but it was protest with only half a dozen people who stood outside the venue holding up signs that read "Rape is Not a Joke". 

The whole issue started years ago, but came to light once again just last month when 11 women came forward with sexual allegations against Bill, most of them saying that he had drugged them before having his way with them. 

The allegations were at first believable, but have now turned absurd with one actress claiming that she was raped by Cosby while they were backstage waiting to appear on The Tonight Show back in 1971. 

Cosby is yet to comment on the allegations. 

TagsBill Cosby, Florida, Janice Dickinson, The Tonight Show, protests