A Christmas Party Story That Sounds Impossible but Turned Out to Be True
Some stories seem too unusual to be real. Yet that is exactly what made a memorable appearance by Noddy Holder on the television program Would I Lie To You? so captivating. Faced with the statement, “One December night while dressed as Joseph, I had to shove a donkey off a country lane,” the legendary musician shared a remarkable Christmas memory that blended humor, confusion, and unexpected reality.
According to Holder, the incident took place during the mid 1970s. A close friend hosted an annual Christmas fancy dress party and, that particular year, the theme centered on the Nativity. Holder had hoped to attend as the Angel Gabriel, but his friend insisted that he take the role of Joseph instead. Dressed in a makeshift costume fashioned from household items, he joined the festivities and enjoyed the evening among friends.
As the night wore on, Holder decided it was time to head home. Stepping outside shortly after one o’clock in the morning, he recalled feeling strangely disoriented. The sensation grew stronger as he drove through the countryside. Wanting a quieter route home, he turned onto a series of narrow country lanes.
Then came the moment that transformed an ordinary journey into an unforgettable story.
In the middle of the road stood a donkey.
Holder explained that he initially questioned whether the animal was even real. The combination of the late hour, his unusual costume, and his confused state of mind made the sight seem almost surreal. Nevertheless, with the lane too narrow to drive around the animal, he stopped his car and got out to investigate.
Determined to clear the road, Holder moved behind the donkey and began pushing it forward. The image itself was extraordinary: a man dressed as Joseph standing on a dark country lane, attempting to move a stubborn donkey out of the way. The situation became even more absurd when a police car appeared and its officers stopped to see what was happening.
Holder responded with a joke that reflected the strange spirit of the evening, telling the officers that he had been celebrating because his wife had just had a child. It was a line perfectly suited to someone dressed as Joseph at Christmas time.
The charm of the story lies not only in its comedy but also in its authenticity. As the panel debated whether the tale could possibly be true, the answer was finally revealed. Holder had indeed pushed a donkey off a country road while dressed as Joseph.
What began as a seemingly unbelievable claim ended as a genuine Christmas memory, one filled with bewilderment, laughter, and the kind of unlikely circumstances that only real life can create.