A French museum has removed a wax likeness of Gérard Depardieu, the latest measure taken against the actor since he faced allegations of sexual assault. The Grévin Museum in Paris said on Monday it had taken away the waxwork “following the negative reactions of visitors” passing in front of it, as well as comments on social media. A lifesize representation of Depardieu, 74, had been on display at the wax museum since 1981. Depardieu, an icon of French cinema with more than 200 titles to his name, was placed under formal investigation for the alleged rape and sexual assault of the actor Charlotte Arnould in 2020 and has been accused of sexual harassment and assault by more than a dozen other women. A television report released this month, which included footage of the actor making sexist comments, has put the allegations back into the limelight and reignited a debate about sexism in French cinema. Depardieu has denied all accusations against him, writing in an open letter to Le Figaro: “Never, ever have I abused a woman.” His family on Sunday denounced an “unprecedented conspiracy” against him. Despite no court ruling against him, many have rushed to distance themselves from the actor in recent days. On Saturday, a Belgian municipality stripped Depardieu of the title of honorary citizen, several days after the Canadian province of Quebec revoked its top honour over his “scandalous” comments against women. Last week, the French culture minister, Rima Abdul Malak, said the actor’s alleged behaviour had shamed France, noting that he might be stripped of the Legion of Honour, the country’s top award. In 2017, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, withdrew the Legion of Honour from the Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein after a series of accusations of sexual harassment and rape. Depardieu was one of about 250 French and international personalities represented at the Grévin Museum. Others have included the French footballer Zinédine Zidane, the French actor Omar Sy, the Hollywood star Ryan Gosling and King Charles III.