Hoff's heading our way, again

David Hasselhoff poses as he arrives at the premiere of his latest film "Keith Lemon: The Film" at London's Leicester Square on August 20, 2012. AFP PHOTO Source: AFP

Amy Harris and Joel Christie, The Daily Telegraph, report 

Mark your calendars. His last attempt at an Aussie tour may have ended in cancellations (due to poor ticket sales) but The Hoff is clearly adamant he has pulling power.  

Celebrity Apprentice drop-out David Hasselhoff is keen to restore his popularity with a series of singing gigs around the nation in 2013 and has pegged February 15 for a Sydney show. 

It's understood Hasselhoff will perform at The Hi-Fi (sales permitting) and on Valentine's Day in Melbourne.

Channel Nine's shock exit of David Hasselhoff from Celebrity Apprentice was in fact a staged three-week arrangement

Use-by date agreed: David Hasselhoff with fellow Celebrity Apprentices (from left) Nathan Joliffe, Jason Akermanis, Vince Sorrenti, Ben Dark and Ian 'Dicko' Dickson. Picture: Channel 9 Source: Supplied

The Daily Telegraph reports

His departure was billed as a "shock" but evidence is building that David Hasselhoff's stint on Channel 9's "Celebrity Apprentice" was a staged, three-week arrangement.

The former Baywatch and Knight Rider star reportedly "floored" contestants when he announced that he had to quit the reality show this week due to family commitments in the US.

However, spies say Hasselhoff, who shot his brief appearance on the show in the last three weeks of January, had a series of pre-scheduled commitments in both Germany and the US in early February, and that Nine was made aware of this at the start of shooting.

"It was always a three-week deal," a show insider told Confidential. "His departure was all completely staged and choreographed and was, in reality, a shock to no one."

What's more, Hasselhoff's work schedule had been on view to the public on his personal blog, giving the game away to anyone who bothered to take a squizz.

However, the 59-year-old's departure was packaged as a shock exit and described by Nine as "unfortunate and unavoidable".

A Nine statement confirmed that the network was "aware that there was a possibility David might get called away, as he had flagged this other personal obligation which could emerge during our schedule".

Asked yesterday why Hasselhoff was billed as a legitimate Celebrity Apprentice contender and not a "cameo", as appears to be the case, a spokesman replied: "You have the statement. 'Possibility' is the key word." Cute.

Meanwhile, the Celebrity Apprentice "boss" Mark Bouris continued with the charade yesterday, telling Triple M that, had Hasselhoff not left the series voluntarily, he would have "fired him anyway".

"I would have fired him that night - he was the weakest out of the team," he raged.

David Hasselhoff has made a shock exit from Celebrity Apprentice Australia

David Hasselhoff turned businessman for Celebrity Apprentice. Picture: Craig Greenhill Source: Herald Sun

Colin Vickery, The Herald Sun, reports

David Hasselhoff has made a shock exit from Celebrity Apprentice Australia.

The former Baywatch star floored contestants when he quit the Channel 9 reality show because of a family commitment in the US.

The Hoff filmed only three episodes of Celebrity Apprentice Australia before walking out.

His departure followed a secret meeting with CAA host Mark Bouris.

Hasselhoff's teammates, including former AFL star Jason Akermanis and talent judge Ian "Dicko" Dickson, were stunned.

"It is a personal commitment I made to my family and it involves honour. This just came up last night," Hasselhoff said.

He has two daughters, Taylor-Ann and Hayley, from his marriage to actor Pamela Bach.

Nine said Hasselhoff's exit was "unavoidable".

"David revealed to Mr Bouris and the other contestants that he had made a promise of a personal nature and had been called on to honour it," a Nine spokesperson said.

"Although it turned out The Hoff could only participate in the series for three challenges, he made an enormous contribution to the money raised for charity helping to raise in excess of $500,000."

But Akermanis couldn't hide his anger.

"I can't tell you my disgust when he said 'Hey guys, I'm out'."

David Hasselhoff dazzles on Celebrity Apprentice

David Hasselhoff poses for a photo with fans in Sydney Park, while offering dog grooming services to the public. Picture: Craig Greenhill Source: News Limited

Colin Vickery, The Herald Sun, reports

You’ve got to love David Hasselhoff. The former Knight Rider and Baywatch star has enough energy to light up a small city.

Hasselhoff, or The Hoff as he likes to be called, is the X factor that makes this year's Celebrity Apprentice Australia a treat.

The Hoff didn't come to Australia to slum it. He brings a passion to the Channel 9 reality show that is infectious.

Last night the men's Platinum team used the Hoff to win and raise $245,000 for charity in a dog pampering challenge.

The most watched star in the world - according to the Guinness Book of Records - was unstoppable as he was mobbed by fans on Bondi Beach.

Male celebrities including Ian "Dicko" Dickson, Ben Dark and Vince Sorrenti were in awe of The Hoff.

Former AFL star Jason Akermanis was clearly jealous that The Hoff was getting so much attention.

Even the female Fortune celebrities got caught up in Hoff-mania. Tania Zaetta banged on endlessly about her short stint in Baywatch.

The Fortune females spent most of the dog challenge bitching about one another. The Platinum guys seem much more team spirited.

Things got emotional near the end when The Hoff handed over that monster cheque to the Starlight Foundation and explained how a young child had changed his life on the set of Knight Rider.

Celebrity Apprentice Australia is a winner. Long live The Hoff.

A Knight out for Russ, Hoff

Russell Crowe spotted walking around Hyde Park, Sydney. Picture: Cameron Richardson Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph reports

David Hasselhoff has asked Russell Crowe to star alongside him in a big-screen remake of Knight Rider.

The former Baywatch star tweeted the invitation to the Hollywood actor after Crowe thanked him for visiting children at a Sydney hospital.

"Thanks mate hope to see you soon! Time for us to do Knight Rider the movie," the Hoff tweeted back.

But the Hoff may have to cool his heels for a while.

Crowe, pictured here this week on one of his many walks around the Sydney CBD, has a packed schedule.

The Oscar winner is set to begin rehearsals for Les Miserables and will follow that with his starring role in Darren Aronofsky's next film project, Noah.

The Hoff sticks up for Patti

David Hasselhoff turns businessman for Celebrity Apprentice. Picture: Craig Greenhill Source: Herald Sun

Luke Dennehy, The Sunday Herald Sun, reports

David Hasselhoff and Patti Newton formed an unlikely bond on the set of The Celebrity Apprentice.

Hasselhoff told the Sunday Herald Sun he had a huge amount of respect for Newton, and he could relate to her situation regarding the intense scrutiny on son Matthew's problems.

Newton was on set filming The Celebrity Apprentice on the same day her son was in the headlines again after his assault case against a taxi driver was adjourned in court.

"She is like a sponge pincushion," The Hoff said of Newton.

"She has a lot of people trying to stick things into her because of whatever is going on in the press with her family and she's very sensitive about it.

"It's something we've had a long talk about and some things in her family is something I can relate to, and we've bonded in that way."

Newton has been well received on the set of The Celebrity Apprentice and she has won the admiration not only of her fellow contestants, but the crew behind the scenes.

Hasselhoff last week left the show to return to the United States for work commitments.

Speaking on set after one boardroom session, he said he had an amazing time on the show, and was full of praise for many of the contestants, including Melbourne's Jason Akermanis (inset, left).

"He's a great guy, very compassionate," he said.

"Even though he sounds like a big mouth he really isn't. The thing with Aker is that he answers questions, when everyone else walks away he just answers them and says what we are all thinking.

"To me that is a man of real honour -- he's a great guy and probably a long-lasting friend."

Without giving too much away, it looks as if the one celebrity causing some friction is Tania Zaetta.

Let's just say there were fireworks on set during the week when I visited.

Hasselhoff proposes on Sydney Harbour Bridge

Hasselhoff proposes to Welsh girlfriend, Hayley Roberts. (Twitter)

9 News reports

Baywatch star David Hasselhoff has proposed to girlfriend Hayley Roberts on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Hasselhoff, 59, posted the news on his Twitter account, but left his followers guessing as to how Roberts, a Welsh factory worker 28 years his junior, replied to him.

"Tried it again on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. What do you think she said?," he tweeted on Tuesday, along with a picture of him on one knee and another of the pair embracing during the climb to the top of the Sydney icon.

According to reports, the twice-married father-of-two has asked the 31-year-old to marry him before, once in his Britain's Got Talent dressing room and again atop a mountain in Cape Town, South Africa.

Hasselhoff, who also starred in `80s TV hit Knight Rider, is in Australia filming reality television show Celebrity Apprentice Australia.

Celebrity Apprentice Australia star David Hasselhoff is foreman material

David Hasselhof attempts a resuce on Bondi Beach - Celebrity Apprentice contestants filming at Bondi Beach. Picture: Craig Greenhill Source: The Daily Telegraph

Holly Byrnes, The Daily Telegraph, reports

FORGET the hounds, Channel 9 released "The Hoff" on Sydney's streets yesterday.

Still boasting the tan he made famous on Baywatch, David Hasselhoff led the all-male team on the new Celebrity Apprentice Australia as they rounded up props and support for their first challenge - a pet pampering service - today.

The 59-year-old led the charge from Cremorne's Orpheum Theatre, where contestants filmed the opening scenes of the new season show.

Ian "Dicko" Dickson and AFL loudmouth Jason Akermanis, not known as wallflower types, appeared awestruck by the towering American.

Having struggled to overcome personal demons, including a battle with alcohol addiction, Hasselhoff has made a career of TV cameos like this one.

He was the first to be booted off the last series of Dancing With The Stars in the US, where he paired with Aussie Kym Johnson.

"He's going to hit the wall at some point," Dickson said about Hasselhoff's fast pace.

Fellow contestant Ben Dark was also impressed by The Hoff's determination to win the challenge. "I'll be his coffee boy if he keeps this up" Dark said.

Teammate and model Nathan Joliffe had some favourable comments for the American after he stripped off at the beach.

"He's not wearing Speedos but looking bloody good if you ask me," he said.

The public are invited to get involved in today's challenge, with Charlotte Dawson texting the details:

"Please come between 1pm-3pm to Sydney Park, car park entrance, corner King St & Princes Highway, Alexandria x Bring your own or steal someone's dog for a pampering. I will be shovelling shit so bring your camera ;)"

Patti signs up for boardroom battles in Celebrity Apprentice

Patti Newton is set to appear on the second series of Celebrity Apprentice. Picture: Andrew Henshaw Source: Herald Sun

Kate McMahon, The Herald Sun, reports

PATTI Newton is set to make a stunning return to prime time television after a year of personal turmoil, signing up to compete alongside David Hasselhoff on the second series of Nine's Celebrity Apprentice.

Newton, 66, will face off in the boardroom against stars including former footballer Jason Akermanis, champion waterskier Lauryn Eagle, MasterChef favourite Marion Grasby, comedian Fiona O'Loughlin and ex-Can of Worms host Ian Dickson as well as Baywatch actor Hasselhoff.

The move back into the spotlight comes after a tumultuous 2011 for Patti and her showbiz family.

Her husband Bert was taken to hospital with pneumonia in July, spending a week at Epworth hospital.

Meanwhile, son Matthew was not far from headlines throughout the year as he was treated for manic depression and mental illness, labelling himself a "walking time bomb" in an interview.

In December, he was charged with two counts of assault on a 66-year-old cabbie, which will be heard in court on January 21.

In perhaps a tribute to her daughter Lauren's children, Newton will be supporting Sids and Kids as her charity on the Mark Bouris-fronted show.

Filming will start today in Sydney.

Kris Smith falls on his Apprentice sword

Kris Smith says he's not in the running for the new season of Celebrity Apprentice. Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph reports

WITH the announcement of Channel 9's new Celebrity Apprentice contestants but a few sleeps away, one person who has taken himself out of the reality TV running for the cut-throat competition is Kris Smith.

Every name from David Hasselhoff to Ian "Dicko" Dickson was heard as potential talent for boss Mark Bouris after the finale of the first series in November, Smith included.

But the Myer clothes horse and Mrs Dannii Minogue confirmed on Twitter yesterday that there was "no truth" to talk he was heading into the Channel 9 boardroom.

Hey, so long as Deni Hines doesn't reprise, we'll be happy.

Chopper Read approached by Channel Nine for Celebrity Apprentice Australia but told there was no prizemoney

The Daily Telegraph reports

COLOURFUL ex-criminal Chopper Read looks destined for a seat at the boardroom table on the second series of 'Celebrity Apprentice' - provided Channel 9 can find him a few dollars.

The criminal-turned-author-turned-artist-turned-actor has confirmed he has been approached by Nine to appear on the reality program, which was a ratings winner in its debut season.

At publication time yesterday, Chopper Read said he was still tossing up the approach after absorbing the news there was no prizemoney to be won in the new series of Celebrity Apprentice.

"They can go jam it up their (expletive) boardroom (expletive) (expletive)," he said, upon reflection.

MasterChef winner Julie Goodwin and one-time golden girl Nikki Webster are also in Nine's firing line for the next series.

Reinvented mum Goodwin is thought to have caught the eye of producers after impressing scouts during a guest appearance on Ten talkshow Can of Worms earlier this year.

The show would be a major coup for Webster, who first sprang to fame as a teenager, flying through the air and singing at the opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

The recently engaged pop singer says she has been working on a new album and is a director of a talent agency.

Former footballer Jason Akermanis and Baywatch icon David Hasselhoff are also among those rumoured to be lining up for the new series.

A Nine spokeswoman said the network would not be confirming names for the series until 2012 and managers did not return calls yesterday.