The astrophysicist, 63, was clearly not in the festive spirit when he broke down what would happen to Santa if he did in fact exist, in a much-criticized tweet.

Tyson said: “For Santa to deliver gifts to all world’s Christians in one night requires hypersonic speeds through Earth’s lower atmosphere, vaporizing his reindeer and sleigh. Just sayin’.”

Tyson’s comments went over as well as a Christmas stocking filled with coal with many perceiving the astrophysicist’s comments as being Scrooge-like.

British author and journalist James Felton said: “Then how do you explain all these f***ing presents, Neil?”