Knight Rider star Patricia McPherson unrecognisable while fixing her roof

Patricia McPherson, the actress who captivated millions as the brainy mechanic Bonnie Barstow in Knight Rider, has been spotted looking remarkably different in Los Angeles.

At 71, the former TV star proved she still possesses the practical skills of her on-screen counterpart, ditching the Hollywood glamour to fix her own roof.

Dressed in a chequered shirt and a baseball cap, she was seen sweeping her yard and scaling a ladder with total confidence.

McPherson was a staple of the eighties alongside David Hasselhoff, appearing in three of the show’s four seasons.

Her chemistry with Hasselhoff was a highlight for fans, who successfully petitioned for her return after she was briefly written out.

In a 1986 interview with TV Guide, she reflected on her desire to improve the show’s depth, stating: “The human side, it’s missing. The script is just bare bones, we need it to add a family feeling.”

She often pushed for better dialogue, asking: “Can we make it funny? Can we make it like we like each other?”

Since retiring from the limelight in 1991, Patricia has swapped scripts for environmental activism.

She has spent decades fighting to preserve the Ballona Wetlands in Los Angeles and taking legal action against developers to protect the local ecosystem.

Her latest appearance shows a woman who is as grounded as she is fearless, whether she is taking on large corporations or simply tackling a leaky roof on a dry California day.