Hasselhoff No Longer Hooked to London Peter Pan Panto

Due to his commitment to the upcoming Simon Cowell series "America's Got Talent," "Baywatch" star David Hasselhoff will no longer be playing Captain Hook in a London holiday pantomime of Peter Pan.

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The performer, previously seen in Jekyll & Hyde on Broadway, was to have played the swashbuckling villain in the panto, which   will open in time for the holiday season at the New Wimbledon Theatre on December 7th. Also featuring comedian Bobby Davro as Smee and BBC children's show host Sarah-Jane Honeywell as Peter, it will run through January 14th. According to Whatonstage.com, the show's producers First Family Entertainment are "in negotiations to secure a major star to take on the role".

A holiday tradition in Britain, the colorful pantomime features spectacular sets and costumes as well as such conventions as the dame--a man playing a matronly female character. J.M. Barrie's beloved Peter Pan has inspired many other films and plays in addition to the pantomime--including the famous musical version by Moose Charlap, Carolyn Leigh, Jule Styne, Betty Comden and Adolph Green that has starred Mary Martin, Cathy Rigby and others.

Hasselhoff, known internationally for his work on "Baywatch," made his Broadway debut in Jekyll & Hyde and has since then, appeared as Billy Flynn in the West End production of Chicago. He has also had success with a pop music career in Germany and other European countries.