Baywatch star David Hasselhoff: 'I hate swimming'

David Hasselhoff during his New Zealand visit in 2011. Photo / Sam Ackland

Baywatch star David Hasselhoff is scared of water.

The actor - who is famous for his role as heroic lifeguard Mitch Buchannon in the iconic TV series - admitted he hates swimming and tries to avoid water where possible, although he does like giving mouth-to-mouth.

He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I hate swimming. I have a slight fear of water - it stems from too many takes in the freezing, choppy ocean during my Baywatch days.

"But if I see [someone] drowning, I'll be straight in - well, I'll send someone else in- and then I'll do the mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. That's more my thing!"

Hasselhoff was in New Zealand in 2011 for a promotional trip and was happy to dress in his famous Baywatch outfit and even took a ride through the surf on a lifeboat.

The star also revealed he and his Welsh girlfriend Hayley Roberts are considering a move to the English countryside, after putting in an offer on a small cottage in the Cotswolds.

He said: "Hayley's a great girl and things are brilliant. We recently went to the Cotswolds for her birthday and fell in love with the place.

"We looked at a couple of houses there and have found a place in a little village called Broadway, which we've put an offer in for.

"The Cotswolds won't know what has hit them.

"I'm hoping the locals take to us though and I'm already naming it Hoffway."

- Bang! Showbiz