Bill Cosby has been accused of selling out his daughter — by leaking a story about her battle with drink and drugs in order to kill off an article about him ‘swinging with Sammy Davis Jr and some showgirls in Las Vegas’.

US comedian and actor Bill Cosby’s record of big donations to colleges and other institutions has been a key part of his rosy public image – but the rising tide of allegations made by women accusing him of sexual assault is threatening to overshadow his generosity.