David Hasselhoff has shocked fans Down Under by quitting the Australian version of Celebrity Apprentice to fly back to the U.S. to deal with a "personal commitment."

The former Baywatch star enrolled as a contestant on the latest series of the popular reality TV show, but he walked away from the contest this week midway through the season.

Hasselhoff revealed the news in the third episode of the show, telling fellow contestants, "I have to leave. It's not business related, it is a personal commitment that I made to my family and it involves honor... it only came up last night."

He added, "I feel awful about leaving but I am very proud to be a part of Celebrity Apprentice."

A statement from the Nine TV network reads, "We were aware that there was a possibility he might get called away as he had flagged this other personal obligation which could emerge during our schedule. Then midway through the series David revealed... he had made a promise of a personal nature and had been called on to honor it."

"It was unfortunate but unavoidable."