Jason Manford has taken Elf on the Shelf to a completely different level which saw his Christmas tree suddenly vanish overnight.
The comedian was less than impressed with the real tree he purchased which started to prematurely drops its needles, despite him watering it.
Instead of going straight out to buy a new one, the funnyman came up with the genius idea of blaming his kids' naughty Elf for its disappearance.
Taking to Twitter, Manford told his followers that he removed all the decorations on Monday night when his littles ones were asleep and left a note from their Elf as it admitted being to blame for the tree's disappearance.
He said: "Needles prematurely and becoming bald (even with watering it etc) So last night, I took it down & blamed the naughty Elf!"
Attached to the post were four pictures, one showing a pile of pine needles and the elf sitting next to a piece of paper with a note on it.
The note read: "Dear Manford family, your tree was rubbish.
"You know it. I know it. Santa knows it. I did you a favour. You're welcome.
"Get a better one. Love, the elf."
Many of his followers and fans have been quick to react, with one saying: "That’s the best one I’ve ever seen!"
Another posted: "The Man(ford) is genius level dad." A third wrote: "Best Ever!!!"
"This has to be the best 'Elf' shenanigans of the year!," commented a fourth.
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