Sources tell TMZ David Hasselhoff was indeed drinking at Simon Cowell's birthday party in London this past weekend.
According to The Sun, staff at the party had to help The Hoff leave through a back entrance after he spent two hours pounding booze. The Sun claims David was so wasted that, "he kept swearing ... he couldn't walk."
Sometime after the party, Hoff -- who has famously battled alcohol problems in the past -- allegedly got wasted again and punched a doctor at the British hotel he was staying at during the trip.
David was reportedly hospitalized for two days after the hotel incident and released yesterday morning.
The worst waiter in the history of existence, who gives waiters everywhere a terrible name, who has no future in the service industry -- but whom Paula Abdul would have probably loved -- dropped a case of beer on his way into Simon Cowell's 50th birthday bash last night, partially soaking his beloved Rolls.
THIS ... is what "American Idol" money can do for your 50th birthday party.
Simon Cowell is hitting the half-century mark with a lavish party at Wrotham Park in Hertfordshire, England today -- a swanky private mansion where people with money throw swanky private parties.
How can judging people be wrong ... if you can make so much money doing it?
For the new season of "American Idol," Ellen DeGeneres is taking over Paula Abdul's spot -- but last night on "VH1 Divas," Paula poked fun at her successor and actually stepped into Ellen's shoes ... and hair ... and pantsuit .... and busted some serious moves.
The personal chef who sued Simon Cowell and TerriSeymour just hit the smallest jackpot we've ever seen in a celebrity lawsuit -- a pair of old sneakers and some gas money!
As TMZ first reported, the chef filed suit against Simon and Terri earlier this month, claiming the "American Idol" judge wouldn't return her running shoes -- equipped with $500 orthopedic insoles. The chef claims Terri made her remove the shoes before entering Cowell's Hollywood Hills mansion.
But yesterday, Team Simon and the chef reached a settlement -- the chef got her shoes back ... plus around $75 in court costs ... and $9 for the gas!
We just spoke to the chef, who told us, "I got my shoes back ... yayyyyyyy!"
Just a few months ago, Ellen was overly interested in the judge "situation" on "American Idol" -- grilling Simon Cowell about that coveted fourth seat.
When Simon tells Ellen he thinks all four judges are going to be back next season, she slyly replies, "Really ... okay" -- almost like she knows something Simon doesn't.
Paula Abdul's vacant seat at the judges table on "American Idol" has officially been filled ... by Ellen DeGeneres.
Ellen announced the big news during a taping of her talk show today, saying "I have a big announcement to make. No one knows this ... I am going to be the new judge on 'American Idol.'"
He's used to crushing wannabe singers, but now Simon Cowell is accused of destroying a wannabe chef ... or at least her arch support.
Simon and his ex-GF Terri Seymour have been sued by a woman who claims she got a "try-out" to be their private chef. In the docs, the chef claims Terri made her remove her sneakers and put on a "clear-bottom" pair when entering the home.
The cooking seemed to go well and the chef eventually took off, only to realize that she left her sneakers behind -- which she claims had $500 orthopedic insoles inside of them.
The chef claims she made repeated attempts to get 'em back -- and even made an additional trip to the house when Terri's assistant claimed he found them. She says the pair he produced weren't hers.
The woman has filed a small claims lawsuit seeking $661.59 from Cowell to cover the shoes, pricey insoles and the $9 in gas she wasted driving over.
A rep for Simon and Terri says "this is a ridiculous story." The rep says the chef simply left her sneakers and that Simon and Terri attempted to return them -- adding the pair that was found in the house are in fact the woman's sneakers.
Paula Abdul is working something out -- more than just her body -- 'cause last night outside of Crunch gym in West Hollywood, Paula hinted that some sort of deal was in the works ... but she wouldn't say with who!
Abdul also made it clear she isn't jealous of Posh -- or any other "American Idol" replacement judge -- and raised the point, "they don't ever say that about men ... why does it always have to be women who are jealous?"
Sources close to Paula Abdul say even though "Dancing with the Stars" ain't gonna happen, she's still talking to ABC about a show of her very own.
As we first reported, Paula met with ABC honcho Steve McPherson earlier this week and now we're told one of the cards on the table is a possible variety show. And we're told they also discussed a talent competition with Paula in the Simon Cowell seat. Sources say Paula also talked about her desire to become the executive producer.
And there's this little tidbit. We're told Paula's feelings about being "disrespected" by "Idol" execs is more intense than ever after learning Victoria Beckham pulled in a fortune -- reportedly $275,000 an episode.
But sources say she'd still come back to Simon -- if the price ($10,000,000 a year) is right.
We confronted Paula Abdul head-on with our story that she will return to "American Idol" for a cool $10 million. Trust us, it's true, but Ms. Abdul played poker after landing at Burbank airport.
Sadly, our cameraman got it wrong by asking Paula if she was bent out of shape because she felt disrespected by Simon. She legitimately answered "no." The truth is -- even more than the money, she Twitter-quit because she felt disrespected by "A.I." execs, who agreed to pay Ryan Seacrest $15 mil a year, Simon Cowell a gazillion a year, and Paula a puny $4 mil a year.
Hey "American Idol" cheapskates -- $10 mil is a bargain ... because crazy sells!
We thought it was a negotiating ploy, but our "American Idol" sources say Paula Abdul is really gone and will not return.
FOX issued a statement saying, "While Paula will not be continuing with us, she's a tremendous talent and we wish her the best." It definitely sounds real.
We know Paula was ticked at the salary disparity between her and others -- while Ryan Seacrest just made a $45 million/3 year deal and Simon Cowell can buy a small country with his "Idol" money, Paula was getting somewhere between $2 and $3 mil a year.
Here's the weird part: FOX could definitely afford to up the ante and seal the deal, which indicates they weren't that into her.
And they just signed Kara DioGuardi -- which we just don't get at all.
Guess who just blinked in American Idol's high stakes game of chicken? Paula Abdul says she's leaving the show.
She just tweeted this:
"With sadness in my heart, I've decided not to return to Idol. I'll miss nurturing all the new talent, but most of all being a part of a show that I helped from day 1 become an international phenomenon."
Sources have told TMZ that Paula's been negotiating for a big raise, and the deadline was this week because rehearsals are about to start.
So, hardball negotiation ploy on Paula's part or the real deal?
That guy in the blue doggy suit is a young Simon Cowell -- and this is the video his buddy Nigel Lythgoe didn't think we'd ever find. Check and mate.
Nigel challenged TMZ to uncover the "horrible" video of the "Idol" judge singing -- and did we ever. Here's Cowell waaaay back in '82 on the popular U.K. television show "Top of the Pops" performing as his barking alter-ego "Wonderdog."
Paul Abdul is hurt, angry and threatening to quit "American Idol" ... like "60 Minutes" wants to snatch her up.
It's absurd, but Abdul's manager told the L.A. Times, "Very sadly, it does not appear that she's going to be back on 'Idol," adding "Idol" producers have been "rude and disrespectful" by not offering her a new deal.
Ok, let's now get real. Our "A.I." spies say Abdul is raking in about 2 1/2 million bucks a year -- a nice check, but compared to the $15 mil a year that Ryan Seacrest just sealed ...
In Hollywood, stars have to talk the walk in order to rob the bank. Paula's manager says since "Idol" hasn't offered her a new deal she's now considering starting a competitive show. Here's the deal ... Paula tried starting her own series a few years back with Paramount .... NIGHTMARE! The idea crashed and burned.
So it's yet another ploy for more moolah, and more power to her. Whatever the deal it's a long way from Paula's first season paycheck -- our "A.I." spies say she was pulling in $5,000 a week.
Sources tell TMZ David Hasselhoff was indeed drinking at Simon Cowell's birthday party in London this past weekend. 
The personal chef who sued Simon Cowell and Terri Seymour just hit the smallest jackpot we've ever seen in a celebrity lawsuit -- a pair of old sneakers and some gas money!
He's used to crushing wannabe singers, but now Simon Cowell is accused of destroying a wannabe chef ... or at least her arch support. 
Sources close to Paula Abdul say even though "Dancing with the Stars" ain't gonna happen, she's still talking to ABC about a show of her very own.
We thought it was a negotiating ploy, but our "American Idol" sources say Paula Abdul is really gone and will not return.
Guess who just blinked in American Idol's high stakes game of chicken? Paula Abdul says she's leaving the show.
Paul Abdul is hurt, angry and threatening to quit "American Idol" ... like "60 Minutes" wants to snatch her up.
