Remarkable roles: From OO to ‘ho ho ho’

There’s an icy chill in the air as Optician heads out for one final Remarkable Roles assignment before the festive period begins.

The destination is not Lapland but south-east London, where ‘the Deptford Santa’ resides in a residential complex across the Thames from Canary Wharf, close to the restored Cutty Sark.

Peter Mitchell has only recently moved to the area, but is close to landing a role as the resident Santa on river cruises to and from Greenwich. The charismatic optometrist fills his December working diary with lucrative appearances at street grottos, Christmas events and staff parties – plus pulling the occasional prank on his new neighbours.