It is now commonplace in the run up to Christmas to read news reports about the threats posed to the religious festivities by politically correct councils or organisations looking to do away with the festive season.

The accuracy of such reports is frequently questioned, but what if you really did want to cancel Christmas?

Comedian Stewart Lee, who will be guest editing the Today programme on New Year's Eve, brought puritan Oliver Cromwell back to life to find out whether he is as disproving of modern Christmas shopping as he was when he was Lord Protector.

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