Actor, singer, producer and businessman David Hasselhoff has scrapped plans for a starring role in the big screen version of the TV hit, and will have a cameo playing himself instead.

The Baywatch star has frequently told of his yearning to revive the 1990s show for cinema audiences and last year, he revealed he was bidding for the rights to the script and would play a "father figure" in the film.

Now, he has confirmed the Baywatch movie is in the pipeline - but he will be playing himself instead of revisiting his role as lifeguard Mitch Buchannon.

He tells British newspaper the Daily Express, "I've just met the guy writing the film. I'm going to play myself... We're trying to make it a very cool updated version."