Hundreds queued to see Baywatch legend David Hasselhoff when he appeared at Croydon's Woolworths last week.

The telly star was in town to sign copies of his new biography Making Waves last Thursday.

He did not disappoint the crowds of eager fans waiting to see their bronzed hero in a shirt almost unbuttoned to his hairy navel.

The Hoff', as he is now known, waved to his devoted fans as they waited outside the High Street store.

But an entourage of well-drilled staff kept him from getting too close to the throng.

Ben Rafferty, 23, of Kenley Road, Merton Park, managed to secure an autograph on his precious 1983 Knight Rider annual.

"He was only meant to be signing his biography, and the security guards took the annual off me as I approached his table," Ben said. "But when I got it back, I shoved it in front of him and he signed it. He told me if he ever saw it for sale on the internet he'd come and get me.

"I used to watch Knight Rider before I could even walk. My mum would pick me up and take me away from the television because she thought it was too violent.

"I'm tempted to put the annual on eBay just so he does come and get me."

Also in the queue clutching a treasured piece of Hoff memorablia was Graham Rolfe, who brought a toy version of Kitt, the talking car from Knight Rider.

Graham, 27, from Woldingham, plays drums for 80s singer Bonnie Tyler.

He said: "I found out at 11 o'clock today that the Hoff was going to be here, so I was in Croydon by 12.

"I like David Hasselhoff because he's got such a reputation now as a cheesy character. It's a bit like what's happened with William Shatner, who's now embraced the cheesy side of himself. Hasselhoff is going in the same direction."

His recent appearance in Croydon was part of a UK tour to promote his new book.

With his blue eyes at their piercing best and his green, stripey shirt opened to reveal a sun-kissed chest, the Hoff scribbled his name on about 500 copies.

A Woolworths spokeswoman said: "It was a massive success and he was a really nice guy. It was great for Woolworths, for the store and the customers."

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