Santa ’sacked for saying ho, ho, ho’A Father Christmas has hung up his Santa suit after he claiming he’s been sacked for saying “ho, ho, ho!”

John Oakes, 70, says he was fired from a department store in Cairns, Australia, for using Santa’s famous greeting and singing carols.

He claims agency employer Westaff ordered their Santas to say “ha, ha, ha” instead of “ho, ho, ho” because “ho” is a derogatory US slang word for a woman.

Mr Oakes told the Cairns Post: “After my shift on Monday, I got a call from my manager telling me my services were no longer required.

“I hadn’t done anything wrong so I asked her why, and she said, “You said ho, ho, ho and that’s not appropriate”.

“She also said I wasn’t supposed to sing, but I was only singing Jingle Bells to get the kids to laugh for their photo. It’s just ridiculous and everything’s changed because of the new rules.’”

US-based Westaff denied the words were a factor in Mr Oakes’ case.

Company spokesman Bert Jansz said: “The candidate was not sacked nor was his use of the term ‘ho, ho, ho’ a factor in our decision.

“The candidate’s attitude was not in line with the requirements of our client and of their customers.”