@glitterbag,
It all started off with a documentary when a relatively unknown radio one DJ, Scott Mills, did a TV programme about David Hasselhoff. Instead of a Hollywood celeb he found a really genuine man and they remain friends. David Hasselhoff did a return trip over here to be shown around by Scott Mills. He was a genuinely nice bloke who had so much time for his fans, and was not at all egotistical.
For a long time he was seen as a bit of a joke, slightly kitsch and of mediocre talent. Instead of railing against that image he embraced it, which is what enamoured him to so many people over here.