Every winter, Dean swaps his theatre crew T-shirts for a red suit, a white beard and a sleigh-full of secret props. As one of the Ministry of Fun’s leading Santas, he spends his Christmas bringing a very real kind of magic to families across the UK. In this festive edition of My Uniform, Dean talks about starting out as an 18-year-old Santa, the secrets of Santa School – including this year’s deep dive into the scent of Christmas – and why the right suit, boots and beard don’t just complete the look; they help him become Father Christmas, for real, every year.
Hi, Dean. Tell me a bit about yourself.
I’m from a musical theatre background. I was trained as a ballet dancer many years ago – now I’ve definitely found the membership to Greggs! I toured for many years, and when I was home, I was working for people like the Ministry of Fun. Since COVID, I wanted something more fulfilling that would keep me at home because I’ve got a young family, and they gave me a full-time job. My area of theatre was always production and pre-production, and I do special effects as well, so I was often paid to blow things up, do Christmas lights switch-ons, fireworks and all sorts. You find all those strings to your bow build up to a well-rounded event creator, and that’s what the Ministry are.
How did your career as Santa begin?
I started young and it was by accident. A friend running a grotto rang me saying, “Can you get to Bromley in the next 20 minutes?” I thankfully could. When I turned up he said, “You’re going to be Santa.” So I was an 18-year-old Santa, probably doing it all wrong. Then there was a hiatus, and I started back later. Santa School, which we invite our cast to, is how the Ministry try out and test Santas. It’s the first time we might see someone in the full suit and see how they act around people in a safe environment, but most of our training and auditions are done months in advance so we know how people are going to act.
So is it quite competitive?
Yes, it’s not a given that you’ll pass out. Not every performer is suited to Santa. Inevitably we get 20-odd emails a year from old overweight guys with white beards who’ve been told they should play Santa. But it’s not just about looking the part – you have to become that character, and that’s a skill actors train years to do well. So although it pains us when someone looks perfect, if they’re not right for it, we won’t put them anywhere near a family at Christmas.
Who makes a good Santa?
Many Santas are 30-something actors with a musical-theatre background who prefer to be at home rather than away in panto at Christmas, and they end up being the most magical Santas. Some try it and don’t like it; some love it and can’t wait for the next season. I’m the latter. I’ve completely embraced it. It’s a wonderful, wholesome character to play, and when you see the interactions you’re bringing to families – something they’ve saved up for and looked forward to – it feels quite special.
Santa School always has a theme each year. Can you tell us a bit about that?
Every year at Santa School we have a theme, and a lot of it is about accessibility – making sure Santa feels welcoming to absolutely everyone who walks into the room. We look at different scenarios families might arrive with, whether that’s children with additional needs, nervous parents or people who’ve had a tough year. It’s about giving everyone the same magical experience without rushing them. This year we also had a ‘Great Santa Smell-Off’ to vote on the chosen scent of the season. The Santas sampled festive smells like ‘Gingerbread’, ‘Mulled Pear’ and ‘Christmas Tree’, and the winner was ‘Roaring Fireside and Clementines’. It’s those tiny details that help people feel comfortable the second Santa walks in, even if families don’t consciously realise why it feels right.
Have you got any special standout memories?
Oh, there’s so many. They can be extremes: families who haven’t had the best year, lost a loved one or a pet, breakups and so on. Santa can be that safe space. I’ve seen families open up, and you think, “If I wasn’t here, you wouldn’t have had this conversation.” You can leave those moments overwhelmed. Putting a positive spin on what would otherwise be sad is a privilege, and Santa has the ability to sprinkle magic onto that in a believable way. We can say things others can’t because it would be silly from a human, but Santa supposedly knows everything.
Have you noticed how the uniform has changed?
Not much since I’ve been playing Santa, but know-it-alls will say, “Santa used to be green,” and that’s true. Old depictions of St Nick are green. Then in ’62 or ’63 Coca-Cola ran their first ad featuring Santa, and that’s the red and white that became iconic. Most people’s vision of Santa is that now. Some Santas wear “traditional” greens, but I always fear that’s not what the client expects. Most children would be disappointed and ask why he’s wearing anything other than red and white.
How would you describe your own Santa style?
I’m in a Ministry of Fun suit, so my style is cheeky, jovial Santa. I like Santas of Christmas films where he’s a bumbling old grandad who can still get up and do a cartwheel if needed. It’s a bit cartoony. That character can be warm and slow but also energetic with young children and it doesn’t look out of place. I have two suits: my main Ministry tunic with lovely lapels and a little cape, and a long gown which people call a traditional-look Santa.
What’s the long gown like?
It’s a long dark-red gown with a big hood, lovely gilded pattern around the sleeves and tunic. It looks great and adults love it. In the grottos, we wear the Ministry tunic. I play my Santa the same, but you can play more grown-up in the long gown. If I’m at an event with mostly adults – awards dinners and the like – I’ll wear the traditional gown. If there’s a choice, I ask whether they want Coca-Cola Santa or traditional. It’s about 50/50. They both get lovely comments.
Do transform when you put on the suit?
Without a doubt. As soon as I put on the beard, the tash and the hat – once the face is on – then I am Santa. The boots are important too; different boots make me stand or walk differently. Santa’s very broad-shouldered; I get to stick out my belly and no one laughs. The suit definitely helps.
What have you learned about the role?
That you can’t treat this like a normal job: you can’t rush a family or turn them away for a break. And certain phrases instantly ruin the illusion – like “What do you want for Christmas?” because Santa should already know from their letter. Knowing the importance of those things is fun.
How does Santa cross over into home life?
It’s a double life. I’ve got twins who are eight and my oldest is 10. It’s like being a cat burglar – you can’t let a crowbar fall out your bag. Once I dropped a prop box full of 20 sleigh bells down the stairs. “Dad, what was that noise?” “Sorry mate, dropped my drum kit…” There have been close calls. My prop box looks like a toolbox, so if kids see it, I say, “Don’t open it – there are sharp things!” I’m well known locally as Santa, so most children at the school have met Santa-me. My 10-year-old’s going to secondary school next year, so I’ll have to tell him soon. Last year we took them to Hamleys – all the emails to elves and Santa paid off. I’ve set myself up for a fall, haven’t I?
Has being Santa influenced your style?
I’ve always liked dressing up, and I’ve played some wonderful characters. Personally, I’m in a crew T-shirt and jeans because I’m usually doing something that warrants getting paint or glitter on me. Santas do get sent out in Hawaiian shirts and shorts as “Santa on holiday”. It’s fun to play around. But mostly, I’m in my full red suit. At the moment, I’m having made a lovely workshop-y Santa look: long-sleeve bellowing shirt and big green dungarees. I like that look.
What details are built in?
Secret pockets are good for cards with people’s names and ages. I wear white leather gloves and hide a squeaker so I can shake hands and then squeak someone’s nose. Thumb tips are another thing – they glow when pressed, so you can make lights appear from your thumb. Gloves have to be the right material for thumb tips. There are people who sell bespoke Santa stuff – it’s hard to research if you’re not in the world. Santa groups share info privately, and at the Ministry we test everything because we go through so much kit. So much of Santa is the real-life look and feel; you can’t rely on anything you haven’t seen and touched yourself.
Do you ever get sick of Christmas?
No, I don’t, but plenty do. Some people find it hard to be Christmassy at home. If I’ve been “theming” all day and my wife says, “Can you get the tree out?” sometimes I feel like saying, “Not really!” But it’s fun because you can finally do it the way you want. I remind myself this isn’t for anyone else, this is for me.
Christmas film?
Elf and Arthur Christmas.
Best grotto snack?
Cookie.
Tree at home?
Mix of artificial and real, but I prefer artificial.
Toy of the year?
Anything Wicked. Lego is huge – Star Wars, Harry Potter, F1. Probably the biggest will be the Switch 2.
See what Dean is up to @deanburne.
Ministry of Fun is the number one supplier of Santa in the UK – find them at ministryoffun.net
Images courtesy of Matt Alexander/PA Media Assignments