The Hoff To Aid Ailing South African Singer

Hasselhoff Shows Heart

Jun 17, 2009 - Johannesburg, South Africa - Former Baywatch star and America's Got Talent judge David Hasselhoff showed he's got heart by flying halfway across the world to stand by an ailing singer friend who may never sing again. Hasselhoff arrived in Johannesburg earlier this month to learn Afrikaans in preparation for recording what could be his friend's swansong. The busty blonde, popular South African singer and TV celebrity Patricia Lewis, recently discovered that she had non-cancerous tumors on her thyroid. Before having them surgically removed this month Lewis wanted to record what could be the last songs of her career as the operation could permanently damage her vocal chords. When The Hoff heard the bombshell news he dashed from America to record two songs with Lewis who has been his friend since the Eighties. Last week he also appeared on stage in Johannesburg with Lewis to perform the new songs. One is an English duet titled 'As I Am' while the other is an Afrikaans song with the English title 'Miss Kiss Kiss Bang'. 'David sounds fantastic,' said Lewis. 'His Afrikaans with an American twang is very unique. I coached him line by line. It was hilarious and a lot of fun. We killed ourselves laughing in the studio. But he is fast learner. He only took a few hours to master the song.' Lewis said she was flabbergasted when David announced he was flying to South Africa to record with her. 'It showed me what an amazing person he is. I was overwhelmed and grateful. He rearranged his schedule at the drop of a hat and spent 22 hours flying to get here. That's the mark of a true friend.'.(Credit Image: © Mike Behr/Whitehotpix/ZUMAPRESS.com)