Sitting in a wooden chair in front of a small fireplace, clad in full Santa Claus regalia, is the jolly, pink-cheeked man who is probably Malta’s most photographed person.

The man behind the beard is Albert McCarthy – although his beard is very real, he chuckles while tugging at it.

“Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and former Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi both joked that they would never hold an election in December because I would win it from them.”

I was particularly touched by four siblings, who told me they will be giving their presents to refugees

At Smart supermarket alone, the 72-year-old has posed for thousands of pictures with over 700 different families over the past few weeks. His blue eyes twinkle as a young mother approaches him with her two young daughters and nephew dressed in Santa Claus outfits.

“Nothing beats children’s expression of innocence and love,” he smiles as he presents a five-year-old girl with a lollipop accompanied by a friendly pat on the cheek.

Malta’s Santa Klaws, Albert McCarthy, poses for a photo with Khloé, eight months, and nine-month-old Navèen Mifsud Vidal. The 72-year-old has posed for thousands of pictures with over 700 different families over the past few weeks. Mr McCarthy was voted the most authentic Santa at the World Santa Claus Congress in 2008. Photo: Mark Zammit Cordina

Mr McCarthy, also known as Malta’s Santa Klaws, first donned the red costume aged 19 when he was asked to dress up as Santa Claus for students of the Birkirkara Primary School.

“I always had a bit of a belly,” he laughs. “It actually used to be bigger than it is now but this year I had to tighten the belt as I lost some weight after going on a diet.”

Mr McCarthy was born in Malta to an Irish father and an English mother. His grandmother was Maltese, he adds.

“And you won’t believe what the McCarthy coat of arms is – a red deer with golden antlers!” he exclaims.

After retiring from his tour operator business in 1998, Mr McCarthy decided to devote himself to volunteering together with his wife Lina. He started Radio Valentine Balzan as the first community radio and organised a number of cultural events such as folklore dancing, carnival floats and children’s talent shows.

His efforts earned him the Ġieħ Ħal Balzan award, which he won jointly with his wife.

In 1999, the team behind Radio Valentine decided to raise funds to gift less fortunate children at Dar Merħba Bik. A friend suggested he should dress up as Santa Claus to present the children with gifts as well as to hand out presents to the parish children.

The Balzan youth centre made him a sledge and the event was a success. It slowly became something of a tradition, with a children’s Mass held the Sunday before Christmas where youngsters would bring their presents to be blessed while Mr McCarthy’s Santa Klaws would spread some festive cheer.

While participating in the 2007 Christmas village, Mr McCarthy was approached by a Danish journalist who invited him to represent Malta at the World Santa Claus Congress held in July. “I was voted the most authentic Santa Claus – it’s all about the beard,” he nods knowingly.

He takes great care of his beard to ensure it grows healthily. After the Christmas festivities draw to a close, Mr McCarthy shaves it off to prevent split ends. He then starts re-growing it in June, trimming it occasionally to keep it neat.

Over the years, Mr McCarthy has been invited to numerous Christmas fairs, private parties, village street parties as well as private family functions and schools.

His face became particularly well-known after being featured in advertisements for a prominent Italian chocolate brand. His grandchildren proudly refer to him as “Nannu Santa”. “I try to make Santa Claus more realistic by using a quad bike to deliver presents – children don’t really believe I fly in a sleigh pulled by reindeer. I also tell them that the Head Santa in Greenland delegates work to other Santas around the world – I am the Maltese representative.”

His role as Santa Claus means that he has had his beard yanked by thousands of children over the last 15 years. What was his most memorable encounter?

“I was particularly touched by four siblings, who told me they will be giving their presents to refugees.

“Another boy would select a wrapped present to donate to an unprivileged child. Such children and the lovely parents who educated them give me faith in humanity”.