Washington, Dec 5 (IANS/EFE): The US Navy has revoked Bill Cosby's title of honorary chief petty officer in the light of the "serious" allegations of sexual abuse made against the comedian.

"The Navy is taking this action because allegations against Mr. Cosby are very serious and are in conflict with the Navy's core values of honour, courage and commitment," Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus said in a statement Thursday.

Cosby, 77, served in the Navy for four years from 1956 to 1960 before being honourably discharged as a 3rd Class Petty Officer. The honorary title was awarded to Cosby in 2011.

This week, five more women stepped forward with allegations of sexual assault during the 1970s and 1980s, adding to the more than a dozen charges against the actor.

This scandal caused American TV network NBC to pull the plug on a new comedy show featuring the actor while on-demand internet streaming media provider Netflix has postponed the launch of a special programme planned for this month on the occasion of Cosby's 77th birthday.

The actor also cancelled an appearance on "The Late Show with David Letterman" on the CBS network and stepped down from the board of trustees at the Temple University in Philadelphia this week.