TransLink pulls Morgan Freeman-voiced ads after harassment allegations surface

TransLink has suspended announcements featuring the voice of Morgan Freeman after CNN 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.

TransLink spokeswoman Jillian Drews said Visa would 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 SkyTrain line promoting VISA as part of TransLink's tap-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 he apologizes to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected around him. 

"Anyone who 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 report in which eight women allege the 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 let it be known that they were available to fill the TransLink/Visa  ad voicing void, including actor Seth Rogan and musician Dan Mangan.