Hasselhoff signs up for pantomime

Hasselhoff appeared in the West End version of Chicago

Former Baywatch actor David Hasselhoff is taking to the stage to perform in his first pantomime.

The US star will play Captain Hook alongside Bobby Davro in Peter Pan at the New Wimbledon Theatre, London.

It will give him his first taste of the traditional British Christmas children's shows that are known for their audience participation.

The 53-year-old appeared in the West End production of Chicago in 2004 playing sleazy lawyer Billy Flynn.

He will follow in the footsteps of British actors Richard Wilson and Susan Hampshire, who appeared in the theatre's last panto, Cinderella.

Baywatch film

As well as starring in beach drama Baywatch, his other notable TV roles have included Knight Rider, in which he fought crime with the help of his artificially intelligent car KITT.

There have been plans for a number of years to make a movie version of Knight Rider, with Hasselhoff predicting he will have a starring role.

A Baywatch film is also planned after Steven Spielberg's Dreamworks company bought the rights.

Hasselhoff, a recovering alcoholic, says he will not be appearing in it because he is too old to run along the beach in a pair of red shorts.

He has also enjoyed a long singing career, with his albums and concerts particularly popular in Germany and Austria.