Nigella Lawson tells Britain to give Christmas cake the heave-ho-ho-ho

TV cook says she will be making chocolate cake this year, a new tradition for her household

It may be one of the longest-standing festive traditions, but Nigella Lawson has urged people to ditch Christmas cake this year and opt for a family-friendly chocolate one instead.

The celebrity chef said there was no point in having a dried fruit cake gathering dust" on the kitchen counter, and families should choose a festive dessert that would go down better with visiting guests over the winter break.