DAVID HASSELHOFF LEAVES BRITISH REHAB

David Hasselhoff

Once again Baywatch star David Hasselhoff, who was admitted to a rehabilitation center in the United Kingdom earlier this week after he accidentally hit a doctor during a drinking binge, has been released. The very nice sctor, had allegedly been drinking for days in his suite at London's St. Martins Lane Hotel, prompting his assistant to call for medical help. Hasselhoff was livid to discover that Doctor Paul Ettlinger had been called and hit out, accidentally hitting the physician, according to Britain's The Sun newspaper. A source tolds the publication, "David is very hard to handle when he drinks, often very emotional and aggressive. On this occasion he became so drunk he wet his hotel bed, ruining two mattresses, and was becoming a real pain for staff. "His assistant Joe Townley was so concerned he called out a doctor. David was furious and lashed out at him - but mistakenly hit the doctor." Ettlinger then called an ambulance for David, who was taken to the U.K. capital's Capio Nightingale Hospital, a private psychiatric facility, where he reportedly spent two nights before he was allowed to check out on Thursday. A patient at the facility says, "He was recognized immediately. Everyone was thrilled The Hoff had arrived and wanted to meet him. "But the nurses were anxious to make sure he had a quiet time to recover and were telling him he needed vitamins and iron to build himself up."

Editors Extra: I have had the pleasure of Meeting David many times. I remember twice he was drunk. He was nice and fun. The first time I met him, his friends were the ones who were not so nice. Some mafia type guy chased me down 60th street demanding the film, telling me he would take care of me. The publicist for the club Lonnie Hanover thought that meant that he would give me money for the film. I thought it meant cement shoes. Needles to say, I got away from the thug. But It was not David, he was leaving the club smiling. The last time I saw David was at Michael Feinsteins in Manhattan. He was with his publicist Judy Katz. He smiled and posed for pics and was the nicest guy ever. Gave me a hug. If you ask if I think David has a drinking problem, the answer is yes. Is he a mean guy, the answer is no. He is a wonderful guy. I think he has the wrong people hanging around him and they have drained this poor guy. I think David is drained from his hard and horrible divorce. I think he feels like a failure, even know he isn't. I think he needs to buy a home away from Hollywood, maybe in the beautiful Hampton's here in New York to relax and to think about what really makes him happy. I think he needs friends around him, that really care for him and not because he is the Hoff. The Hampton's is the perfect small community. It has the old town feeling and everyone knows everyone, and at the same time you have the Hollywood touch there in the summer. It's the best place to be alone and at the same time, not alone. We wish David the very best and hope he finds some peace soon.
Photo By: Sara De Boer/Retna