Following the soar-away success of Christmas Lights, Northern Lights and City Lights, Robson Green and Mark Benton reunite in Clash of the Santas, a rip-roaring rollicking Christmas special.
Clash of the Santas is a heart-warming Christmas tale full of comedy, action that will rekindle everyone's belief in the power of Santa. The 120-minute film sees Colin (Robson Green) and Howie (Mark Benton) hot foot over to Lithuania to participate in a Santa convention.
Nicola Stephenson returns as Colin's understanding wife, Jackie, who is at home desperately willing Colin to make it back in time for Christmas Day with his children. Sian Reeves also revives her role as Pauline, Howie’s estranged wife, who is planning a French Christmas and turkey fricassee with new beau Jean Luc, and Victoria.
Bah humbug Howie has unexpectedly been asked to represent England in the annual Santa competition, much to the chagrin of Colin who thinks his dedication to Christmas and Santa appearances at the school fair make him by far the better candidate. Despite his protestations, Christmas cynic Howie remains the firm choice and fervent believer Colin has to settle for accompanying him as his cheerleading elf. Little does he know that all the other elves are girls and his elf skirt will leave nothing to the imagination.
The essence of the story, in true Christmas style, is about the power of believing in Santa Claus. Will Howie become a true believer? Will Colin fulfil his Christmas destiny? And will they make it back to their families in time for Christmas day? Robson Green comments: "I'm so pleased Colin and Howie are returning for this Christmas special, particularly as the script is such a rip roaring journey to Christmas – challenging everyone to believe in Santa. I'm also delighted to be working with Mark, Nicola and Sian again; we're going to have an absolute ball."
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Main Cast & Crew
Robson Green - Colin Armstrong
Mark Benton - Howie Scott
Nicola Stephenson - Jackie Armstrong
Sian Reeves - Pauline Scott
Linzey Cocker - Brooke Armstrong
Alex Rimmer- Leyton Armstrong
Lee Worswick - Liam Armstrong
Ian Puleston Davies - Beryl
Edward Petherbridge - Village Elder
Emma Cunniffe - Alice
Additional cast and crew members.
Creator/Writer: Jeff
Pope
Director of Photography: John Kenway
Executive Producers: Jeff
Pope and Saurabh Kakkar
Producer: Chris Carey. Director: Paul Seed
Clash of the Santas is an ITV Production for ITV1 and was filmed on location in the Peak District and Lancashire in the Spring/ Summer of 2008, including Park Hall Hotel in Chorley. It was first shown in the UK on Sunday, 21st December 2008 and averaged 5.4 million viewers (23.9% share) and took the top spot between 10pm and 11pm.
Synopsis
Colin loves Christmas. It's his favourite time of the year. He loves everything about it - the food, the telly, the presents... everything. But most of all he loves Santa and he particularly loves being Santa at his children's school.
Meanwhile, Howie hates Santa and thinks it's all a waste of time. His marriage has broken down and he won't get to see his four-year-old daughter on Christmas morning. The whole idea of Christmas just makes him feel sad and lonely – and Santa, with his stupid grin, big red coat and 'ho ho ho' just rubs salt in the wound.
But this year things are different. This year the school don't need Colin to be Santa for the kids – they're doing a PC-friendly Caribbean Carnival instead. And, at home, his eldest son Leyton is trying to convince Liam that Santa doesn't really exist.
This year it's Howie who is dressing up as Santa, first as a last minute replacement in a massive shopping centre grotto and then, as a result of that success, he's asked to represent England at the World Santa Championships in Lithuania. Colin is gutted but manages to tag along as Howie's supporter. But there's a catch: the only way he can go is if he goes as an elf, a girl elf with bells on his shoes.
But embarrassing costumes are the least of Colin's problems. The Santas of the world are a strange bunch – competitive Aussies, kamikaze Japanese, drunken Welshmen, wrestling Iranians and humourless Germans. To make matters worse, Howie keeps losing: he's letting himself down, letting Colin down, but most importantly letting England down.
Their friendship reaches breaking point, but the biggest threat comes in the shape of the enigmatic Rainbow Santa who, along with his supporters, seems to have a very different attitude to the event – one that places all the Santas, including Colin and Howie, in mortal danger.
If Howie and Colin are to save the day, they've got to patch up their friendship and start working together again. And if they're going to get back home in time for Christmas, Howie is going to have to get his faith back in Santa Claus.
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