He won an unprecedented standing ovation and applause - considered unparliamentary behaviour - from the back benches of his Labour Party.

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Dressed in a shiny grey suit and tie and carrying a Baywatch-style float, Mr Hasselhoff took to the platform to ringing applause and a standing ovation.

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The senators who were there offered their first round of applause and a standing ovation for the most senior Democrat, Robert Byrd of West Virginia, as he was made the new president pro-tempore, putting him third in line for the White House.

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