David Hasselhoff goes from surfing back to soaps

[HMG}- In what is hopefully a nod to nostalgia rather than proof of a downward career, Baywatch star David Hasselhoff is returning to soaps to revisit his formative years.

The now 57-year old actor got his break on the CBS sudser, ‘The Young and the Restless’ in 1975, and stayed for seven years. He’s now returning to the fictional town of Genoa City, Wisconsin in May to reprise his role as Dr. William “Snapper” Foster, Jr. The results will then air in mid-June.

“Playing Snapper in 850 shows molded my craft, my attitude and my work ethic,” the Hoff told EW. “Being asked to come back gives me a chance to say thanks…I just hope I can remember all those lines.”

And David is not the only Y&R vet due to revisit Wisconsin; Seasoned soap-star, Wings Hauser, 62, is returning after 48-years to play his brother, and Julianna McCarthy will revisit her role as Liz Brooks, the mother of Jill Abbott…who is now played by a totally different actress than when Julianna last touched the role in 2008.

And Dave’s got quite a role to pick up – Last time he was in town he married Liz’s other daughter, Chris Brooks, then had an affair with her best friend. Then Snapper’s father and Chris’s mother got married, and Snapper and Chris presented the new couple with a unique wedding gift – their very first granddaughter.

Snapper then left Wisconsin in 1982 to pursue a three-month teaching post in London, and decided to stay.

And with plots that contrived who can blame him?…