A very William McInnes Christmas

William returns to reminisce about the Christmases of his childhood and his brief but brilliant stint as a department store Santa (R)

William returns with stories and reminiscences of the Christmases of his childhood.

Under the tree would be K-Tel gadgets and pop albums, bottles of cheap aftershave and perfume, and a Christmas stocking stuffed with small toys, an orange and a jar of pickled onions.

William also recounts his brief but brilliant career as a department store Santa, and a stint as the world's tallest elf.

Further information

Originally broadcast December 2020

Christmas Tales is published by Hachette

The following songs have been edited for the podcast: 

It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Andy Williams  

I’ll be Home for Christmas – Bing Crosby

Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt

Skating -  A Charlie Brown Christmas – Vince Guaraldi Trio

I saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus – Bing Crosby

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts roasting on an open fire) - Nat King Cole

How to Make Gravy – Paul Kelly

To binge even more great episodes of the ‘Conversations podcast’ with Richard Fidler and Sarah Kanowski go the ABC listen app (Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts. There you’ll find hundreds of the best thought-provoking interviews with authors, writers, artists, politicians, psychologists, musicians, and celebrities.