In a shock move today Santa has quit and says that he's done his last spin round the world delivering presents and toys to all.
The news comes after rumours had begun to surface on the internet weeks ago predicting that he'd had enough. He told us:
"Santaing is a younger man's game and to tell the truth I'm knackered. I'm not up to it any more. Carrying all that stuff is just too much and it takes longer every year to recover once I'm finished on Christmas night"
Catweazle looky likey, Richard Branson, is however, believed to be thinking of taking over from Claus but at a price. Says the entrepreneurial Catweazle looky likey:
"I have the ability and infrastructure in place to take over but I'm afraid, what with the volatile oil market and staff costs, then I am unable to promise that I can do it for free. However rest assured I will keep costs to a minimum and will seek to make no profit.
This news will be cold comfort for mums and dads who will have to dig deeper in years to come in order to ensure their little angels get what they want.
Tony Turkey from Derby said:
"It's a right lash up! Why can't that old fool stick at it? He's a selfish old sod if you ask me and he's ruined everything for my little Dwayne!"
Follow us on Twitter