Uproar as shopping centre Santa rips off beard and swears at kids

13 December 2018, 10:49 | Updated: 13 December 2018, 13:45

An aggravated Santa reportedly swore at crowds after ripping off his beard in a shopping centre.

Parents and children were left stunned after a bad-tempered Santa displayed 'very strange behaviour' following a fire alarm being triggered.

Kids were left in tears after the frustrated St Nick reportedly ripped off his beard and told grotto crowds to "get the f*** out" at the Corn Exchange grotto in St Ives.

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The fire alarm was believed to have been set off by smoke machines being used by a separate family-orientated event.

And whilst the centre began to guide shoppers to safety, Santa was seemingly less than impressed to have been disturbed, subsequently having a 'grotto meltdown' in front of around 50 kids and parents.

His strange behaviour left parents struggling to explain why Santa was angry and swearing.

One mum explained: "My children thankfully didn't take too much notice. They asked why Santa was being horrible after they heard the crowd outside talking about it.

"My friend's little boy was upset as his dad was carrying him when Santa told them 'to get the f*** out'.

"We told our children he wasn't the real Santa. He was an impostor and will be going on the naughty list."

The organisers have since apologised to those who witnessed the drama, with a spokesperson announcing: "Last Sunday during a family rave event (not a FESt event) in the Corn Exchange, St Ives, the fire alarms were activated by smoke in the Charter Hall.

"Santa was upstairs in his grotto, an event organised by Festival Events St Ives (FESt, a voluntary organisation), and immediately assisted in the evacuation of the building.

"FESt wish to apologise for any offence or distress caused to parents and children by their attempts to ensure all visitors and staff had exited the building and were safe."