Cheeky boy who threatened to ‘punch Santa’s beard off’ when he was put on the naughty list says sorry in a bid to get back in Father Christmas’s good books

• Jackson, from Chelmsford, Essex, was five-years-old when his dad filmed the heated discussion
• READ MORE: Barbie, Hot Wheels and L.O.L. Surprise! are tipped to be among the top gifts on children’s Christmas lists this year

The cheeky child who went viral when he threatened to ‘punch Santa’s beard off’ is back – and this time he has an apology for the man in the red suit.

Ten-year-old Jackson, from Chelmsford, Essex, was just five when his father, Jack, filmed a heated discussion between the two of them over the possibility of the youngster being on ‘the bad list’ if his behaviour didn’t improve.

Now, after five years of reflection, the repentant schoolboy can be seen finally saying ‘sorry’ and explaining ‘me and Santa are alright now’.

Jackson, 10, makes his peace in a sweet video shot by TUI in which he takes on the role of Chief Good List Officer and offers lucky children the chance to win a magical trip to Lapland.

Earlier in the 43-second clip, posted on Instagram under the handle @action_jacksonlee, the schoolboy explains how he gained global infamy in 2019.

The cheeky child who went viral when he threatened to ‘punch Santa’s beard off’ is back – and this time he has an apology for the man in the red suit

‘When I was five, I told Santa I’d punch his beard off if he put me on the bad list,’ Jackson said.

He then reveals he is in charge of TUI’s Good List and offers well-behaved kids the chance to explain why their name should be on it, with one successful applicant and their family winning the once-in-a-lifetime trip.

But then, risking being once again relegated to the bad list, brassy Jackson grins as he said: ‘Dad, even if he puts me on the good list I’ll still punch his beard off!’

The heart-warming video ends with him being grilled by the film’s director and his 35-year-old father about the possibility that he may actually be banned from Lapland for his outburst five years ago.

Exasperated, Jackson said: ‘Dad! I was never on the bad list, this is a myth you made up!’

To coincide with the funny festive video, TUI carried out a study that revealed the heart-warming and often comical lengths children go to in a bid to qualify for Father Christmas’s ‘good list’ and secure their dream presents.

They include finishing their dinner, including all their greens (59 per cent), resisting the urge to argue with siblings (52 per cent), and offering to help with cooking the dinner (56 per cent).

It also emerged that 35 per cent of UK children aged three to 11 start writing their Christmas wish lists in November.

Jackson was five-years-old when his dad, Jack, filmed a heated discussion between the two of them over the possibility of the youngster being on ‘the bad list’ if his behaviour didn’t improve

In the new video, Jackson joked that he was still ready to punch Santa’s beard off 

The 10-year-old put on an animated display in front of the clip, created in collaboration with TUI

Jackson playfully poses with a red boxing glove and Father Christmas’s beard 

In the new video, the schoolboy has been assigned the role of Chief Good List Officer

He sat at a large table in a room filled with festive decorations, including a Christmas tree

Jackson proved he is a natural in front of the camera as he sat back and put his feet up on the desk

Furthermore, 55 per cent of parents said they noticed an improvement in their little one’s behaviour in October.

The poll of 1,203 children and parents also found a holiday or experience tops the list of wishes for 78 per cent of children, with 45 per cent dreaming of seeing Father Christmas in Lapland.

Behaviour guaranteed to get a child on Father Christmas’s Good List 

• Being good at school

• Tidying your bedroom

• Going to bed on time

• Doing all your homework

• Eating all your dinner

• Helping to make dinner

• Helping with the vacuuming

• Brushing your teeth

• Avoiding arguments with your siblings

• Putting down the iPad when asked

Five to six-year-olds were revealed as the most dedicated to writing their wish lists (34 per cent) followed closely by three-to four-year-olds (32 per cent).

‘For more than 15 years, we’ve been creating incredible Christmas memories for families across the country with our Lapland packages,’ said Phillip Iveson, commercial director of TUI UK & Ireland.

‘Last year alone, we took nearly 40,000 Brits to Lapland to experience real Christmas magic, so we’re not surprised that it tops hundreds of Christmas wish lists.

‘When Jackson said he’d give us a hand to give one lucky family an experience of a lifetime, we jumped at the chance.

‘At TUI we’re all about making lasting memories that stay with families for the rest of their lives, and what better place to do that than in the most magical place of all at Christmas time?’

The lucky winner will travel to a TUI hotel in Lapland with their family in 2024. They will have the special opportunity to read their Christmas wish list to Santa and enjoy other festive experiences, including snowmobile rides and a visit to the Snow Village.

To be in with a chance to win, you can enter on the competition site, with entries valid from 20 November to 6 December 2023 at 23:59.

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