US: For years the portly man dressed in a red tunic and sporting a large white beard has been delighting unsuspecting strangers with his munificence. But now, having revealed his identity, Santa has been forced to hang up his sleigh bells and stay at home.
Over the last 26 years Larry Stewart, a 58-year-old businessman from Kansas City, has given $1.3 million (€1 million) to strangers he met in the street. He started by handing out $5 and $10 bills to people who seemed down on their luck. With inflation and a rise in his own wealth - he has made millions running a cable television and long-distance telephone service - the gifts rose to $100 bills. Recently, however, he was diagnosed with cancer. So he has revealed his identity in the hope that someone else will take over his Santa duties.