Tell us about how Rasta Claus came about.
 
I worked in a special school in Bradford some years ago, as a musician. They asked me one year if I’d play Santa. I’d never played it before. The truth is I’m not massive on Christmas. I was raised in a Pentecostal household but my parents never made a big thing out of Christmas. It was a day when your family got together, you had food – that was it. My mum, in particular, never wanted us to buy presents for her, she’d want us to get things for other people. I used to be a church minister and I was always a bit concerned about the commerciality of Christmas. When my kids were growing up, you’d start seeing adverts for Christmas toys in September! So I agreed to be Santa – but what concerned me at that time was that I don’t necessarily look like the classic version of Father Christmas. Would it be ok? As a bit of joke I said, “I can’t be Santa Claus. I’ll make up a new character – we’ll call him Rasta Claus!” It was totally off the cuff, strictly for that school. The parents, kids and teachers seemed to love it. But for me, it was a one-off, an acting role. I’m a musician, and I’ve appeared on television in a couple of different roles. My stage name is Reverend Chunky! I go on stage, I adopt a character, do my thing, then I’m back to being Cleve. A couple of years later my friend who runs a children’s events business approached me and said, “Cleve would you be Santa Claus for me?” I told her about Rasta Claus and she absolutely loved the idea. So again, I donned the robes and went out there. But this time I had a bit of a philosophy. I thought, what can Rasta Claus offer that Santa Claus can’t? My first thought was he’s different – which allows anybody else who’s different to feel included. The second thing was I had to give him a back story. I came up with this idea that he’s the son of Father Africa and Mother Time. He’s Santa’s cooler cousin. As opposed to this philosophy of getting something for Christmas, his motto is “Give a likkle back”. Said in a very Caribbean way! Children would come and see me and at the start they’d be handed a plastic gold coin. I’d show them a doll of Mama Africa, tell them the story about how Africa was a very rich place and over the years so many people have come and taken away from it. I’d say, “If only I could find someone who could put something precious back into the land, we could restore it and maybe we could make Christmas special again.” And those kids, with their big wide eyes would say, “I’ve got a coin!” and they’d put it in – and at that point I’d say, “Because you’ve put a little back, now you can have a present.” You don’t get a present on the basis of expectation, but because you offered something, you gave a little.
 
How do children react to Rasta Claus?
 
It’s amazing. They love it. The truth is, I’m a character. A couple of families now – the children ask for me every year. There’s been a couple of occasions when children have said, “That’s not the real Santa!” What I say to them is, “No, the other guy’s not the real Santa, I’m the real one! He’s copying me!” The reactions are great. The adults really fascinate me. They embrace it. I love that. One of my favourite moments was in Leeds Market, a Muslim woman came up to me and asked if she could have a picture with me. Then she asked if she could give me a hug. When I look at that picture and what it represents, it’s beautiful.

What else do you do with your life?
 
I’m a musician by trade. During the lockdown that was affected massively. My passion has always been playing and singing. I still do concerts and gigs around Leeds. The greatest fun I have is busking. I’ve always operated on the idea that 1 out 10 people might give you something. And if there’s a thousand people that come by you in a day, you’ve done well. It could be 1 pence or 1 pound. It goes from the sub- lime to the ridiculous. I’ve been paid £50 to sing Happy Birthday to someone; I’ve also received a lollipop from a 3-year-old boy, which to me is worth more than £1000 because no kid gives away sweets! I’ve busked in Leeds, Italy, Spain, France, Portugal – but the place where I’ve made most money in the shortest amount of time is Bradford! I also work with adults who’ve had brain injuries. There’s one particular chap who I work with, he’s Jamaican by birth. I get to cook a month’s worth of Jamaican food for him. It’s massively nostalgic for me because that’s the food I grew up with as a kid. I cook it for my own children and family. But it puts me in the zone. It’s one of my favourite things!