From This is Leicestershire.co.uk (Photo)
But TV legend David Hasselhoff was in Leicestershire over the weekend to do battle with a Radio 1 DJ in a paintball tank.The star of Baywatch and Knight Rider became tank rider for the day when he paid a visit to Armourgeddon in Husbands Bosworth – billed as the world's ultimate paintball experience.To the astonishment of other visitors, he was at Southfields Farm on Sunday to film scenes for his new television series, along with drive-time radio presenter Scott Mills.The pair fired paintballs at each other's tanks in a closely-fought battle. The Hoff eventually lost by 17 points to Mills' 18.
They each had a pair of assistants to help them, with Armourgeddon instructor Phil Hopkins acting as commander of Team Hoff.Phil said: "Being the commander I got to get up close and personal with him and all I can say is, what an absolutely fantastic guy."He was the life and soul of the party and was making everyone laugh."He made an excellent tank driver and kept saying he felt much safer driving the tank than he did behind the wheel of Kit – his car in Knight Rider."Tracy Garner, who runs Armourgeddon with her husband, Stuart, said it came as a shock to the other customers when they saw the Hoff walk in.The firm took the booking a week before the big day, but was sworn to secrecy and was told only that a "Hollywood star" would be paying a visit.Mrs Garner said: "It was just a normal day – we had lots of customers in and when they saw the Hoff they were all very shocked and got a bit star-struck."The stars were given their own sealed-off area to do battle for the cameras, but it did not stop them mingling with the other customers. Mrs Garner added: "The Hoff was brilliant. He was chatting to everyone, signing autographs and posing for pictures."It looked like he was having a brilliant time with Scott."What we have here is quite unique.We are the only place in the world that does tank paintball battles, so we were really flattered and pleased they chose to come here."The pair were filming for a UK version of reality show The Hoff – When Scott Came to Stay, where Mills spent time living in California with the Baywatch star.For the second series, where the roles are reversed, they have been visiting some of Britain's more unusual and quirky summer attractions, including the haunted Tutbury Castle in Staffordshire, where Hasselhoff tried morris dancing.Last week, the America's Got Talent judge was seen playing a spot of polo in Richmond.Mills and the Hoff struck up a friendship in 2006 after the DJ gave his backing to the Get Hasselhoff to Number One campaign, which resulted in the single Jump In My Car reaching number three, his highest- ever UK chart entry.The six-part documentary following them around Britain, which does not yet have a title, is due to air on Living TV in September.
"Surreal" was the word bowler Matt Milner used to describe the moment he had to explain to the America's Got Talent judge and former Knight Rider star, how the LBW law worked.Matt (19) said: "We were just chatting and there was a big LBW shout, and the Hoff asked what it was."He was great bloke, really friendly."Despite the Hoff being "caught out" dress wise, with grey jeans and trainers not quite in keeping with the gleaming whites of the teams on show, there was no shortage of people offering to help, from the tea lady to the groundsman.The club youngsters, many of whom did not even bat an eyelid at his presence, helped the Hoff get padded up in some borrowed "Kitt", and Jack (11) and Michael (10) Ford were on hand to give him a few tips on how to stand and hold the bat.And Callum Medcalf was also hit for six when he received some tips on acting, with the Hoff telling the 10-year-old to "never give up and always follow your dream".And meeting his namesake left 21-year-old Greg "Hoffy" Hofbauer (21), from Peterborough's opponents, Burton Latimer, in a spin.After The Hoff signed his shirt, he said: "It was unbelievable when he turned up and he was impressed with my shirt having Hoffy on the back."What a top bloke."
