Richard Attenborough is the nation’s favourite on-screen Father Christmas, reveals new survey

RICHARD Attenborough has been voted the nation's favourite TV Father Christmas.

Fans adored Polar Express, Elf and classic comedy Home Alone too,  a new survey has revealed.

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Richard Attenborough’s role as Father Christmas in The Miracle on 34th Street has been voted the nation’s favourite of all time.

Second place went to Tom Hanks’ animated effort in The Polar Express.

A close third was Tim Allen’s The Santa Clause which was a family favourite.

A poll of 2,000 Brits saw Attenborough’s 1994 performance, and more than half of families claimed the festive smash was one they watch every year without fail.

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The majority of Brits’ favourite Christmas movie does include a Father Christmas figure, and The Miracle on 34th Street was also named the most-loved Christmas film.

Second in the list was Macaulay Culkin vehicle Home Alone 2: Lost in New York.

Film fans voted for A Christmas Carol and Love, Actually, next.

A cheeky 13 per cent selected the Bruce Willis action classic Die Hard – because the events in the movie take place on Christmas Eve.

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The poll, by streaming service NOW TV also found millennials much prefer a Santa who is funny, whereas the over 50s prefer a Santa who is magical, kind and jolly.

Almost half of us will watch six Christmas movies each during the festive period.

More than a tenth of movie-lovers admitted they would sit through 10 or more festive flicks, according to the research conducted through OnePoll.

The NOW TV Smart Stick and Sky Cinema Pass bundle for £19.99, contract-free includes festive classics White Christmas, It’s a Wonderful Life, Die Hard, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Polar Express.

THE TOP 10 MOVIE SANTAS

1. Richard Attenborough – Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
2. Tom Hanks (motion capture) – Polar Express
3. Tim Allen – The Santa Clause
4. Edward Asner – Elf
5. David Huddleston – Santa Claus: The Movie
6. Ken Hudson Campbell – Home Alone
7. Jim Broadbent – Arthur Christmas
8. Billy Bob Thornton – Bad Santa
9. Edward Ivory – The Nightmare before Christmas
10. Jim Belushi – Jingle All the Way

THE TOP 10 CHRISTMAS MOVIES (AS VOTED BY RESPONDENTS)

1. Miracle on 34th Street
2. Home Alone 2
3. A Christmas Carol
4. Love, Actually
5. How The Grinch Stole Christmas
6. White Christmas
7. It’s A Wonderful Life
8. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
9. Die Hard
10. The Holiday