Cowell backs friend Hasselhoff

Music mogul Simon Cowell has spoken out in defence of troubled David Hasselhoff, insisting he never came close to replacing the actor on hit TV show 'America's Got Talent' after his recent video controversy.

Footage of a drunken Hasselhoff with his teenage daughter was leaked to the media earlier this month, prompting many to believe his upcoming gig on Cowell's US summer variety show would be scrapped.