True Face of Father Christmas Revealed

Created using 3D technology, the real face of Father Christmas was revealed to St Nicholas Primary School children by Liverpool researchers.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the new depiction of St Nicholas shows a middle-aged man with a long grey beard, round head and square jaw. Professor Caroline Wilkinson and Mark Roughley created this image using a facial reconstruction system and 3D interactive technology by the new Face Lab at Liverpool John Moores University's School of Art and Design.

 "This is the most realistic appearance of St Nicholas based on all the skeletal and historical material," said Professor Wilkinson.  

"It is thrilling for us to be able to see the face of this famous 4th century Bishop," she added.

Saint Nicholas' new depiction uses "the most up-to-date anatomical standards, Turkish tissue depth data and CGI techniques". He is portrayed with a severely broken nose, which had "healed asymmetrically, giving him a characteristic nose and rugged facial appearance".

The saint was the Greek bishop of Myra, a town on the southern coast of Turkey now known as Demre. St Nicholas, who died in 343, was believed to have a habit of secretly giving gifts, thus becoming the model for Father Christmas, the BBC News reported.

The children of St. Nicholas Primary School were very excited about seeing the saint's new depiction.

"We are delighted that the School of Art and Design has chosen us to be the first to see the facial depiction. It is another demonstration of our successful collaborative relationship with our neighbours," said Angela McKenna, deputy head teacher of St Nicholas Primary School.

The revelation of St Nicholas' "most realistic" portrait coincided with the saint's feast day.