'Bad Santas' to offer a helping hand this Christmas on Channel 4

Everyone deserves a second chance to turn their life around, especially at Christmas. In a brand new warm hearted two-part documentary called ‘Bad Santas' to air this December, Channel 4 will follow a group of unemployed men in their 50's as they are taken through their paces at the UK's most successful Santa School - but only the best will make it into the grottos in time for Christmas.

In true Christmas spirit, James Lovell, Managing Director of Ministry of Fun (MOF) is offering a unique opportunity to this carefully selected group of men, each who have had a difficult past and are looking to make a fresh start. James wants to give them the chance to regain their confidence and find employment.

Whilst working with the MOF, the men must attend Santa School and pass a number of challenges from learning how to wear a Santa costume with confidence, how to perfect the art of a jolly ‘ho ho ho', learn the most popular toys for Christmas and most importantly, how to deal with those tricky questions from children.

This isn't just a job for Christmas, James believes being Santa is the most rewarding role in the world and wants to be able to offer the most successful Santas a job at the end. But just how many of the Santa hopefuls will survive the test and pass the challenges to take on the role of every child's favourite Christmas character?

Mark Raphael, Commissioning Editor at Channel 4 says, "Bad Santas will be a fun and entertaining addition to the Christmas schedule with a mix of both festive humour and real emotion."

Alannah Richardson, Executive Producer at Twenty Twenty adds "The Ministry of Fun has set itself an admirable but daunting challenge. Cutting it as Santa is no easy feat - especially when the dreams of children hang on a convincing performance. But, if they can pull it off, they'll bring hope to men whom the rest of the world has given up on, reconnecting them with their families and the real prospect of work."

The 2x60' series will be made by Twenty Twenty and executive produced by Alannah Richardson and Tim Carter. Bad Santas will TX in December on Channel 4.