TransLink pulls Morgan Freeman-voiced ads after harassment allegations surface

TransLink has suspended announcements featuring the voice of Morgan Freeman afterCNN reported Thursday that several women have accused the actor of inappropriate behaviour and harassment.

"In light of information we've learned through news stories this morning of serious allegations against actor Morgan Freeman, TransLink has decided to pause his voice announcements as part of a VISA ad campaign on the transit system," said a statement issued Thursday morning by TransLink.

TransLinkspokeswoman JillianDrewssaid Visawould make the final decision on whether Freeman continued voicing the ads.

"To be clear, Visa bought space on our system to advertise their participation in the open payment program. The content they choose to provide us will be up to Visa."

Freeman was heard along the SkyTrainline promoting VISA as part of TransLink'stap-to-pay launch. Freeman-voiced bus ads had yet to be rolled out.

The 80-year-old is a long-time pitchman for VISA.

In a statement issued by his representative, Freeman said heapologizestoanyonewho felt uncomfortable or disrespected around him.

"Anyonewho knows me or has worked with me knows I am not someone who would intentionally offend or knowingly make anyone feel uneasy," the statement read.

Earlier Thursday,CNN published a reportin which eight women allegethe Oscar-winning actor had behaved inappropriately on movie sets, while promoting films, and at the offices of his production company, Revelations Entertainment.

Meanwhile, a few celebrities took to Twitter to letit be known that they wereavailable to fill the TransLink/Visa ad voicingvoid, including actor Seth Rogan and musician Dan Mangan.