Bad Santa: Children Told to 'Get the F*** Out' of Mall by Irate Saint Nick Ripping Off His Costume

An angry mall Santa left children and parents in shock last weekend after launching a foul-mouthed tirade at shoppers while tearing off his costume.

Excited children had gathered to meet Santa at a mall in St Ives, U.K., on Sunday, but were left distressed by a festive flare-up.

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According to The Guardian, the entertainer burst out of his grotto during a fire alarm test and began shouting and swearing at shoppers while tearing off his hat and beard.

The bad Santa reportedly told those queueing to "get the f**k out" after a smoke machine at a family-friendly rave one floor below set off a fire alarm. The rave was being held separately to the Santa event, which was billed as an opportunity to meet Kris Kringle and his "chief snowman."

FESt issued a statement apologizing for the incident. A message on its website read, "FESt wish to apologize for any offense or distress caused to parents and children by the attempts to ensure all visitors and staff had exited the building and were safe."

Around 50 children were waiting when Santa's festive joy finally ran out. Stuart Wilkin, who was performing as a DJ at the children's rave, described Santa as "raging" as he stormed out of his grotto. "I do think though the reason Santa was raging was because they booked a kids' rave on the same day as kids going to see Santa upstairs above the event," he explained.

"He probably sat there trying to talk to kids with thumping music playing and was pissed-off. The fire alarm going off was probably the final straw for him."

Another bystander, Adam Gaynor, wrote on social media, "The guy dressed as Santa at the Corn Exchange is an absolute disgrace. He came charging in, ripped his hat and beard off in front of 50 odd kids and started shouting and swearing at people to leave."

One mother who wished to remain anonymous told the Cambridgeshire Live website Santa used "the most vile language, ripping off his hat and beard with steam literally coming from his ears."

"I'm not too sure why he was so cross," she added, noting that one of her friend's children became very upset when "Santa told them to get the f**k out." The mother explained to Cambridgeshire Live she quickly told her children that the angry man wasn't the real Santa.

"He was an imposter and will be going on the naughty list," she assured the children.