He's got one of the most famous nicknames in the world as 'The Hoff'.

And on Friday, David Hasselhoff has made headlines after appearing in a video and saying he had changed his name to David Hoff.

The 63-year-old star has told Daily Mail Australia that the moniker change has been coming for some time.

He explains: 'I had a chance to change it years ago.'

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What's in a name? David Hasselhoff has made international headlines for appearing in a video and saying he had changed his name to David Hoff, but told Daily Mail Australia on Friday he was told to change it years ago

David claims that back when he landed his first job in TV in 1975, he was told to change his name.

'They said, look, you’ve got your first job on the Young and the Restless...and you’ve got to change your name,' David said.

He appeared on the long-running show from 1975 to 1982 and the name Eric came up as an option.

'Sounds like he just got off the boat from Norway...So random,' he said.

Adding: 'And then I didn’t change my name.'

Name change: In a Youtube clip that he tweeted on Friday, David sits in a white shirt as he proclaims: 'I've been wanting to drop the hassle from my life for years'

In the Youtube clip that he tweeted on Friday, David sits in a white shirt as he proclaims: 'I've been wanting to drop the hassle from my life for years.

'Now, I have made it official, David Hoff,' he said, before holding up a framed name change certificate.

He wrote alongside the link of the video: 'Big news today and a massive relief for me. I hope everyone can understand… it feels great!'

He dropped the Hassel: He now goes by the name David Hoff

David, who is known for his work on the TV show Knight Rider, and Baywatch, is currently in the UK performing in the musical Last Night A DJ Saved My Life.

The father of two is currently dating Welsh bombshell Hayley Roberts, 33, who he met back in 2011 when he was working as a judge on Britain's Got Talent.

She approached him for a photo - and he obliged - only on the condition that she gave him her phone number and romance followed.