THE PROFESSIONAL

Harvey Lancaster’s role is a far cry from the 27-year-old freelance performer’s previous acting work. “I’ve gone from being a warrior in Outlaw King to an elf in Santa’s workshop! “We were filming across Scotland in November. It was brutal. Half the extras dropped out as it was so cold, so I ended up being a Scottish warrior, English soldier, a blacksmith, henchman, and a peasant.

“I never went to Santa’s grotto as a kid so it’s nice to be on the other side. I would’ve loved to have been Santa but I’m a bit too tall, skinny and clean-shaven. “But elves are more fun and mischievous.

“You get to be a bit ridiculous and an exaggerated version of yourself. It’s very liberating. The most important thing is to make sure the kids have fun as we guide them through making tree decorations and bags of food for the reindeers and then writing their Christmas lists

– we’re trying to order the chaos.”

Mum-of-two Jenna Givens, 32, has fully committed to her role as an elf – she even has a backstory.

“My name is Jingle, I’m 3,200 years old and I live in the Candy Cane Forest.

“I’ve been a professional elf for five years. I got into it through my children’s party business. “At Christmas, I dress up with my two boys Killian, three, and Kieran, eight. As Jingle, Twinkle and Candy, we visit kids in their homes and nurseries. I’ve been in elf mode for ages. We’ve been making advent calendars and Christmas baubles at home since September. “The most important thing about the job is that kids leave here excited about Christmas.

“The whole point is for them to believe in the magic, especially the ones on the cusp of not believing. “It’s an absolute privilege to work beside Santa and to be an elf.

“I still believe in the magic.”