Hairy biker Dave Myers says mums and dads are to blame for kids going cold turkey on traditional Christmas dinners.
The TV chef spoke out after a shock poll found a quarter of Generation Z – people now aged eight to 23 – will tuck into pizza on the big day this year.
Meanwhile, 18% would prefer burgers or pasta and 17% will eat a fish-and-chips takeaway.
Dave, who cooks up a storm with his Hairy Biker buddy Si King, said it is “madness”. And he told the Sunday Mirror: “If kids prefer pizza, I blame the parents.”
The star, stepdad to Romanian-born wife Liliana Orzac’s two kids, added: “Both of our children were born in the 90s and love the tradition. I think they’d miss it.
“Things like getting round the table for a traditional Sunday dinner is such a part of family life.
“Times are hard – I’m not making light of it – but if you can afford it, I think it’s glorious to sit around the table together. My folks were pretty skint, but we still managed a Christmas dinner with pigs in blankets.”
Dave, 65, will serve up a Romanian buffet on Christmas Eve and a turkey dinner on December 25.
It has also emerged almost half of 16-26-year-olds claim they don’t like Christmas pudding – even though 37% admit they have never even tried it.
