Eddie Murphy mocks Bill Cosby as he accepts prestigious comedy award

Eddie Murphy mocked fellow comedian Bill Cosby as he took to the stage to accept a prestigious comedy award.

The star, who has not performed to a live crowd in 28 years, did an impression of the disgraced actor as he was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour.

Speaking on Sunday at the ceremony in Washington, the 54-year-old said:

“Bill has one of these. Did you all make him give it back?”

Launching into a full-on Cosby impression, Murphy said: “You may have heard recently that I allegedly put the pill in the people's stomach.

“If I ever see or meet this Hannibal Buress in person I am going to try and kill this man!"

Murphy was reportedly asked to do a Cosby impression earlier this year as part of Saturday Night Live’s 40th birthday celebrations.

Cast member Norm Macdonald revealed that Murphy turned down the role in the skit as he ‘didn’t feel comfortable’.

Macdonald tweeted: “We talk in his dressing room a good hour. When it's over, I'm convinced he'll do it. He doesn't.

“Eddie decides the laughs are not worth it. He will not kick a man when he is down.”

The ceremony will be broadcast on PBS in the US on November 23.