Nigella Lawson admits she sends friends signed copies of her own cookbook for Christmas

The TV chef says she feels 'she has to'

Lawson's new book and television show are called Simply Nigella (Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)

Nigella Lawson has reportedly revealed she sends her friends signed copies of her own cookbook for Christmas.

According to the Daily Star, who labelled the TV chef “scrooge”, she feels inclined to give her friends the gift when it comes to the festive season.

Lawson reportedly said: “I feel I have to give my friends a signed copy of my book. This is not a plug, but just how it is.

However, those in Lawson's inner circle get the book as well as "an extra accessory or ingredient or two”.

The 55-year-old’s latest book Simply Nigella coincides with her return to television in her new programme of the same name.

The series has so far received mixed reviews with some fans complaining about avocado on toast recipes being “too easy”, egg on warm lettuce not being a salad and her encouragement of using “CSI gloves” when cooking being too “faffy”.