Santa calls... but no fake beards please

EVERYBODY knows there’s only one real Santa, but if you thought that Mr Claus himself has the capacity at this time of year to put in a personal appearance at every Santa’s grotto in every shopping centre the world over, think again.

A casting agency is looking for a number of Santa lookalikes for ‘paid upcoming Christmas projects’ this festive season. However, a word of warning to anyone who fancies himself as a potential standin for the man in red – don’t even consider it if you don’t already have a healthy crop of whiskers, for a ‘real beard’ is one of the criteria, presumably to pass the tug test many children employ.

While a bit of ‘Santa-ing experience’ is another criterion, there’s no mention of jolly bellies, real or otherwise.

Dublin-based casting company Extras Ireland put out the seasonal casting call for a ho-ho-whole lotta Father Christmases via social media yesterday.

And with just 47 sleeps to go, less hirsute applicants may have just enough time to ditch the razors and get good and fuzzy.

Extras Ireland said: ‘It’s that time again. We are looking for Santas for paid upcoming Christmas projects. You should have a REAL beard – not a fake one!’ Santa wannabes should email their name, details of any ‘Santa-ing’ experience and a few photos to info@extrasireland.com.

Meanwhile, professional Santas should be aware of an important clause – Revenue urges them not to get into the red and declare all seasonal income.

A CASTING agency has put out a call for Santa lookalikes, with the key requirement being that they have real beards.

Surely the time to do that was around August to at least give potential candidates a chance. A luxuriant white beard isn’t born in a day, and even if you stopped shaving right now, there’s little chance you’d make the grade by Christmas.

And it’s not exactly like you can ask Santa for one now, is it?