Mandel to replace Hasselhoff on 'Talent' panel

Howie Mandel, the former "Deal or No Deal" host, will be replacing David Hasselhoff on "America's Got Talent," AccessHollywood.com reports.

NBC Universal Television Entertainment chairman Jeff Gaspin confirmed the news Sunday morning at NBC's Television Critics Association panel.

"David is leaving . . . and yes, I believe Howie Mandel is replacing [him]," Gaspin said.

Mandel will join the show's judges panel, which includes Piers Morgan and Sharon Osbourne, when the show returns for a fifth season this summer.

"As you know, Howie was a big part of our schedule for the last several years with 'Deal or No Deal,' and we thought he did a phenomenal job," Gaspin said Sunday. "If you think about an expertise, Howie has had a Las Vegas show for years and he constantly performs in Las Vegas. So we actually thought - not only is he a great communicator, but he's actually an expert."

However, Gaspin added there would be no more "Deal or No Deal" for Mandel. "We are not doing any more 'Deals' for NBC currently," he said.

As previously reported, Hasselhoff announced his departure from the reality competition last week, along with plans to start his own TV show.