After being informed that he was too large to fit into his Santa Suit, a veteran Father Christmas performer named Mike Mendoza, aged 77, was let go from his role. Mendoza, who has been portraying Santa for over 40 years with a 46-inch waistline, iconic beard, and jolly demeanor, was unexpectedly dismissed following a costume fitting session at Lapland UK.
The email notifying him of the termination stated that the assigned Santa costume did not meet the necessary performance standards. Consequently, his contract for the Father Christmas position was terminated just days before he was set to commence rehearsals at the immersive Christmas experience in Windsor Great Park.
Feeling humiliated and at a loss of around £9,000, Mike expressed his frustration at being “fat shamed” for his appearance. He highlighted the irony of being fired for being overweight, emphasizing that the traditional image of Santa is typically portrayed as plump.
Mendoza, a former talkSPORT broadcaster and local councilor, has been embodying the role of Santa since the mid-1980s. Reliant on his Santa gigs as his primary source of income for the past five years, he was excited about the opportunity to work at Lapland UK, a prestigious Christmas attraction.
Despite being complimented on his appearance by Lapland staff during the fitting, Mendoza realized that the costumes provided were too small for his frame. The ill-fitting attire, particularly tight lederhosen, led to an awkward situation, with Mendoza joking about his backside being exposed in the photos taken during the fitting.
Following the incident, Lapland UK offered him compensation for attending the fitting and one week’s pay as a gesture of goodwill. Despite the setback, Mike remained optimistic, reflecting on his lifelong association with portraying Santa and the joy it has brought to many.
Regarding the controversy, Lapland UK clarified that Mendoza was not technically fired but rather dismissed due to the sizing constraints of their costumes. They explained that the costumes are bespoke and available only up to XXXL size, making adjustments beyond that range impractical.
Furthermore, Lapland emphasized that all actors in their roles, including Father Christmas performers, must undergo various checks, fittings, training, and competency evaluations before final approval for the position.
Despite the unexpected turn of events, Mike remains hopeful that he will continue spreading Christmas cheer in his role as Santa in the future.