LEGENDARY Baywatch and Knight Rider actor David Hasselhoff is to star as himself in a semi-improvised comedy, with scenes filmed in Southend.

Hoff the Record, which will be aired on Dave, will be a six-part series that centres on the life of “the Hoff”.

The documentary-style programme will feature a fictional version of Hasselhoff, set 30 years after he made his name with popular teatime drama Knight Rider.

His character has been through five divorces, as opposed to Hasselhoff’s real life two, and wrong career choices before heading to the UK to rescue his career.

Hasselhoff said modestly: “When I made Baywatch, I dreamed of one day having my own show on a channel named after me. Hoff The Record is coming soon to the UK, only on Dave. They did name the channel after me, right?”

The series, made by An Idiot Abroad producer Me & You Productions, is scheduled to air next year.

UKTV commissioning editor Iain Coyle, said the show was “funny, clever and bizarre – in a good way”.

The trailer for the series show Hasselhoff in his Baywatch gear and holding red float talking to an elderly woman on Southend seafront.

The actor is no stranger to the town after appearing as Hoff the Hook in Peter Pan at the Cliffs Pavilion during the pantomime season.

Hasselhoff’s character will be backed up by an oddball entourage but his co-stars have yet to be named.

Echo:

Executive Producer Krishnendu Majumdar: "We grew up watching David Hasselhoff on TV so we are thrilled to be working with such a legend and are amazed that he is game to play a jaw dropping version of himself for us. This is our first series for Dave and it's great to be on such a supportive broadcaster making an ambitious cutting edge comedy series."

Steve North, Dave General Manager: "It is a slightly surreal series for Dave and has to be seen to be believed, but it promises to be brilliant and to have The Hoff on the channel is a great coup. It cements Dave as the place to be for risk-taking comedies."