The former Baywatch star’s staff became so concerned about his emotional and aggressive behaviour following days of heavy drinking at London’s St Martins Lane hotel they telephoned Dr. Paul Ettlinger to admit David to the Capio Nightingale Hospital’s rehabilitation unit.
However, when the medical professional arrived, the actor reportedly lashed out and accidentally bruised the physician’s forehead.
A close friend told Britain’s The Sun newspaper: "David is very hard to handle when he drinks, often very emotional and aggressive. On this occasion he became so drunk he wet his hotel bed - ruining two mattresses - and was becoming a real pain for staff. His assistant Joe Townley was so concerned he called out a doctor.
"David was furious and lashed out at him - but mistakenly hit the doctor.
Staff at the hospital were so concerned about the actor’s behaviour they were forced to lock him up until the emergency services arrived.
The friend explained: They decided they had no option but to lock him in the basement until an ambulance arrived."
David whose nickname is The Hoff - was discharged from the £1,000-a-night medical centre yesterday (08.10.09) after spending two evenings sobering up and recovering in a private suite.
A fellow patient said: "He was recognised immediately. Everyone was thrilled he was there and wanted to meet him. But the nurses were anxious to make sure he had a quiet time to recover and were telling him he needed vitamins and iron to build himself up."
The America’s Got Talent judge has publicly battled alcoholism for years and has been hospitalised on several occasions.
His latest drinking binge reportedly began at the weekend when he joined 400 celebrity guests who were partying at a Hertfordshire mansion to celebrate Simon Cowell’s 50th birthday.
David apparently got so drunk he was escorted out of a secret exit and taken back to the hotel.
