The acclaimed author of The Snowman claimed to “hate Christmas”, but loved to spend the period with his loved ones, a close friend has said.
John Lord worked with Raymond Briggs and lived near him in Ditchling in East Sussex, describing him as a kind and warm-hearted man who he “misses very much”.
Mr Briggs, who wrote and illustrated the festive classics, was akin to his “curmudgeonly” portrayal of Father Christmas, Mr Lord said, but added that this was “all a pretence”.
He said: “He actually loved Christmas, but I think that the Christmas business was getting on his wick.”