A HERO police officer nicknamed The Hoff has received a bravery award and a special video message from David Hasselhoff himself.

PC Mohammed Nadeem won the nickname after jumping into the ice-cold River Irwell to save a drowning man.

His heroic actions in Radcliffe were widely shared at the time in February and Baywatch-star David Hasselhoff personally praised the new Hoff via Twitter.

For the awards ceremony Mr Hasselhoff recorded a special video message congratulating the student police officer and challenging him to run in slow motion.

PC Nadeem, who still works for Bury Division of Greater Manchester Police (GMP), said: “I am very happy to get this award. Just being a nominee was a great feeling but actually winning is amazing and David Hasselhoff giving a video message about what I have done — that recognition is just brilliant.

“It’s an amazing feeling being here and knowing what officers have put themselves through. It’s something that I will never forget, being in a room with such heroes.”

Baroness Newlove, from Warrington, presented PC Nadeem with a prestigious Police Bravery Award on Thursday at the 23rd national awards hosted by the Police Federation of England and Wales.

The Tweeted afterwards she was “Absolutely honoured to present Region 1 winner PC Mohammed Nadeem of GMP with his Police Bravery Award”

The awards, sponsored by Police Mutual, honour and recognise police officers who perform outstanding acts of bravery.

On Saturday, February 17, at about 2pm PC Nadeem responded to a call reports of a concern for the welfare of a man at Hardys Gate Bridge, over the River Irwell.

When PC Nadeem arrived on scene he jumped eight feet into freezing-cold water, still wearing his heavy protective clothing as a man was swimming away towards a dangerous weir.

PC Nadeem caught up with him and dragged him to safety and the two men used a ladder to climb out.

PC Nadeem was nicknamed ‘the Hoff’ by colleagues and friends for his heroic actions, prompting the real Hoff to tweet about it at the time. David Hasselhoff also sent a video message to the winning officer to be played at the ceremony.

GMP deputy chief constable Ian Pilling said: “PC Nadeem should feel very proud of this award, which is testament to an incredible act of bravery and a willingness to assist even when his own life was in danger. All of us at GMP are very proud of his actions and this award is fully deserved.”