Denise Welch is among the growing number of Brits who have hit out at an NHS advert which shows an unconscious Santa Claus being rushed into hospital.
The advert, launched by NHS Charities Together, sees a helpless Santa being rushed into an operating theatre on a trolley before being nursed back to health by staff on the ward, has been widely circulated on social media over the past few days, with parents worried what their children will think if they see it.
It ends with Santa being told he is well enough to go home, after being seen reading lots of letters in bed, and one of the nurses who looked after him finding a present underneath the Christmas tree, with a tag reading 'Thank you for everything you have done for all of us. Santa.'
As the advert reaches its climax the words 'Give back to those who've given everything' flash up on the screen.
Far from impressed by what she saw, Geordie actress Denise posted a video of the advert on her Twitter page and wrote: "Disgraceful. How dare they."
And many of her followers took the same stance. One, herself a nurse, commented: "I am a nurse and I think this is awful. Leave santa alone! I wouldn't want my kids to think that Santa might catch covid and be to ill for Christmas or worse. There are somethings should be left alone! Why mix reality with magic."
Another responded: "This is totally abhorrent. No excuses for this. It is in extremely bad taste," and a third tweeted: "Found this advert really upsetting and quite disturbing."
As others said they intended to complain to Ofcom, there was some support for the advert, with one Twitter user reacting: "Am I missing something here? We are now BASHING the NHS for releasing an advert where they save Christmas for kids by nursing Santa back to health!? I don’t get all of the comments of how disgusting it is - I thought it was sweet."
In agreement, another commented: "It could be portraying that noone is immune not even Santa. So stay safe . Follow the rules. Different people will read it differently."
But, replying to that follower, Denise wrote: "Santa is magic. Magical. Other worldly. For goodness sake."
