Celebrity Mound

David Hasselhoff has pulled out of co-presenting the MTV European Video Music Awards after claiming the show’s producers had no taste.

The 1980s style icon was due to present the awards with singer Justin Timberlake on November 2nd in Copenhagen, but the Sunday Mirror claims that the Hoff baulked once he saw the night’s script.

Apparently the 54-year-old, who recently made a splash with Jump in My Car in the UK charts, was not prepared to deliver such set-pieces as ripping off his co-presenters shirt and remarking “you need to get some more chest hairs like me”.

Another planned scene involved the SexyBack singer wondering where Hasselhoff had gone, only for the camera to pan out to a Jacuzzi offstage where the Baywatch actor was entertaining some ladies with some champagne.

“It was all tongue-in-cheek stuff, but Mr Hasselhoff didn’t find it funny,” an MTV source told the tabloid.

“He told them he’s a massive star in Europe – and doesn’t want to be made fun of. MTV had spent a month on the scripts and are gutted the Hoff pulled out at the last minute.”

David Hasselhoff’s publicist is playing down reports the former Baywatch star is still battling his boozing problems following a US tabloid report claiming the actor and singer checked out of a secret rehab facility after just three days.

Hasselhoff, who has been candid about his alcohol abuse issues in recent years, checked himself into Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in a bid to beat his drinking problems once and for all, according to the National Enquirer.

The publication claims the actor signed out after just three days on October 12, 2006.

But Hasselhoff’s spokeswoman Judy Katz insists his short hospital came after her client fell ill while taking pain medication prescribed to him as he attempts to repair a slashed wrist following a much-publicised shaving accident in London.

Katz is adamant that Hasselhoff isn’t boozing again and insists the reports are ridiculous because Cedars-Sinai Medical Center “doesn’t have a detox unit,” but insiders aren’t convinced.

One tells the Enquirer, “David’s a mess. He’s been drinking steadily for months. I think David is in a constant state of denial… He’s got a problem.”

David Hasselhoff’s ex-wife is demanding the former Baywatch star increases his monthly support payments to nearly $78,000.

Pamela Bach claims in court documents that she is used to having a lavish lifestyle and that her former spouse spent $100,000 a month on credit card expenses.

She is asking a California judge to increase child support to $31,546 a month, as well as her spousal support to $45,463 per month.

A representative for Hasselhoff tells news website Tmz.com that up to now the parties had an informal agreement covering living expenses.

Bach claims Hasselhoff has pleaded poverty in the divorce case, claiming to have made a paltry $5,000 a month for the last 12 months.

She slams his low income estimate, noting that the’s been on hit Us Tv show America’S Got Talent, published tell-all book Making Waves and has had plum parts in films such as Spongebob Squarepants and the Adam Sandler comedy Click.

Former Baywatch star David Hasselhoff flirted, danced and slept his way through an interview on British TV yesterday morning, and blames his dopey demeanour on sleeping pills.

The 54-year-old attempted to charm GMTV host Jenni Falconer during a promotional interview for new single Jump In My Car, saying, “You’re not engaged. Oh I have a chance.”

Hasselhoff later performed a hip-thrusting dance routine to his new song, aimed at Falconer, before falling asleep during a break in the early-morning show.

However, GMTV producers dismiss speculation he was drunk. A spokesperson for the show says, “We do not believe he was drunk. There was no smell of alcohol.”

Hasselhoff explains, “I was really tired. I’ve been in Vancouver then Leeds, then Manchester then Croydon.”