Bill Cosby refuses to answer rape question during NPR interview

Accusations of rape have haunted actor and comedian Bill Cosby for years. During an interview with NPR on Saturday, he went silent when the host, Scott Simion brought up the accusations. Cosby refused to comment on the latest allegations of rape that have been leveled against him.

Simion said, "This question gives me no pleasure, Mr. Cosby, but there have been serious allegations raised about you in recent days. You're shaking your head no. I'm in the news business,I have to ask the question. Do you have any response to those charges? You're shaking your head no. There are people who love you who might like to hear from you about this. I want to give you the chance. Alright."

For nine years, the iconic comedian has been accused of sexual assault by women who say they were the victims.

One of them, Barbara Bowman, spoke out this week after the comedian, or someone from his camp sent out a tweet saying, "Go ahead, meme me.'

"I didn't really talk about it much because nobody was believing it," said Bowman.

Bowman says when she was 18 years-old, the comedian started drugging and raping her. Cosby denies those allegations.

Early Saturday, Bowman responded to Cosby's silence when questioned during the NPR interview.

"I'm not surprised that Bill Cosby was speechless. He has met his maker. A simple shake of his head is implication of a man whose heart is heavily burdened with shame," said Bowman.

The tweet that set the internet and critics on fire has since been deleted.

Bill Cosby was scheduled to appear on Wednesday's "Late Show with David Letterman." CBS released a statement Saturday saying he has now been replaced with television personality Regis Philbin.