Overview
- The December 17 encounter shows Nova, a young Staffordshire Bull Terrier, grabbing the performer's artificial beard during a photo at a local grotto.
- Owner Robyn Ellis filmed the scene at Puppy Dog Palace in Sunderland and posted it to TikTok.
- In the clip, Father Christmas says "get off my beard," later calling it hilarious and noting it was a first for him.
- Later coverage reports staff chased Nova around a play area before recovering the beard, which was left tangled.
- Viewers compared the moment to a scene from Elf, and Nova left with festive treats including a Christmas dinner, a puppuccino and a goodie bag.