Kitty Flanagan says Santa is a 'man who doesn't even exist' on The Project, causing uproar from parents. Courtesy: The Project/Channel Ten

CHANNEL Ten’s The Project covered their tracks last night after Tuesday’s episode saw comedian Kitty Flanagan inadvertently out Santa Claus as a fake, prompting hundreds of parents to complain.

Carrie Bickmore came to the rescue, crossing live to Santa at the North Pole to reassure any confused or upset kiddies watching.

“There is a hive of activity at the North Pole as Santa Claus prepares for his busiest day of the year with Christmas now just two weeks to go,” Bickmore said, welcoming St Nick to the show.

“Santa and his elves, they’re pulling all-nighters to ensure all of the presents are ready for delivery to kids around the world.”

Flanagan angered viewers during her guest appearance on Tuesday night when she made the declaration not once, but twice, that Santa doesn’t exist.

Santa Claus right of reply on The Project After Kitty Flanagan's shocking comments on The Project, now Santa Claus has his right of reply for all you non believers.

Santa made light of the comedian’s blunder during his appearance, telling viewers that Flanagan was fibbing.

“We had a couple of new additions to the naughty list just last night,” he said.

“Your friend Kitty, she was telling a few fibs last night on the air I think. She was doing so well. She was on the naughty list for most of her life but she had almost made it onto the good list but she blew it.”

After her revelation, Flanagan apologised for putting her foot in it. “Oh sorry — spoiler alert,” she said. “If you have kids in the room, you should probably have covered their ears and gone ‘la, la, la!’ or something.”

Given the show’s 6.30pm timeslot, there were bound to be many families watching with their children, and hundreds took to social media to complain.

“News for the whole family ... until Kitty says Santa doesn’t exist! What the hell? My 5 year old now wants to know why she said that!” enraged viewer Kim Sagoa said on Facebook.

“Pretty disgusting that you would allow that comedian to speak that way saying Santa is not real and bagging Santa out ... my kids all looked at me in shock ... absolutely appalling,” Beck Hallinnan agreed.

The Project’s Facebook page was inundated with complaints, as well as plenty counterarguments from supporters.

@theprojecttv you're a disgrace. Now I can't watch my fav news program without fear of what might be said while my kids are in the room! — Mardi Radford (@MardiradfordB) December 9, 2014

@theprojecttv sorry but my 8 year old doesn't read Twitter. She was however, sitting on my lap having a goodnight cuddle before bed. Thanks. — Leonie Oosterhuis (@Mrsoostie) December 9, 2014

@theprojecttv have only just got my kids to sleep.Tears,heartbreak & questions re Santa tonight.Appalled and very angry - can't fix this one — Sara Victoria (@thegreenroomAP) December 9, 2014

@theprojecttv there had wanna b a massive story on how real Santa actually is tomorrow night with a live cross 2 the North Pole #savexmas — Peter Hallinan (@peterhallinan) December 9, 2014

“Nothing like lying to your kids every Christmas for years. Then eventually the truth has to come out,” commenter Helen South shot back.

The show was forced to apologise and retract the comments, blaming Flanagan’s “poor research” and insisting that jolly St Nick’s authenticity was not in question.

On Wednesday morning, the program went further and took a more serious tone, apologising again and explaining that the comments were “unplanned”. They also announced their upcoming live cross with Santa in the North Pole.

Last night was Kittys final performance on the show but neither she nor our show would intentionally offend kids like this just b4 Christmas — The Project (@theprojecttv) December 10, 2014

Tonight we will be crossing to Santa in the North Pole so he can clear up any confusion for our younger viewers. Best regards, The Project — The Project (@theprojecttv) December 10, 2014

Flanagan has been a long-time casual guest, and a popular one among viewers, however last night’s appearance was her last.

Her decision to leave was made before the Santa snafu though.