David Hasselhoff has been booked to appear as a panto villain this Christmas - four years after dropping out of the same role.

The Baywatch and Knight Rider actor will star as Hook in Peter Pan at New Wimbledon Theatre, the show’s producers announced this morning.

Hasselhoff will follow in the footsteps of his former Baywatch co-star Pamela Anderson, who appeared in Aladdin at the Broadway theatre last year. He was due to star in Peter Pan at the New Wimbledon Theatre in 2006, but cancelled the appearance because of a clash with TV commitments.

Hasselhoff said: "Peter Pan is a show that has always been close to my heart, as my first theatre role was playing Lost Boy Nibs when I was a child.

“I am so delighted to be asked to join this British tradition. I know all about Pantomime as some of my good friends have already appeared in previous productions. They’ve told me how much fun it is. Get ready London for Hoff The Hook."

Kevin Wood, chief executive of producers First Family Entertainment, said: “This is without doubt the most exciting piece of panto casting in history.”

Dancer and reality TV star Louie Spence has already been booked to appear in this year’s production, which will run from December 10 to January 16. Hasselhoff is expected to arrive in London for rehearsals next month, and is set to feature in almost every performance up to December 31.

His biggest roles were in the TV series Knight Rider and opposite Anderson in Baywatch, once the most-watched TV show in the world. Since leaving Baywatch he has continued his pop career and his family have featured in their own reality TV programme, but the actor has also received treatment for alcoholism. Hasselhoff competed in America’s version of Strictly Come Dancing last month.