Actor, writer and comedian Joe McArdle takes a wry look at Lancashire life...

So, the tree is up (a little fake one from Wilko’s), the presents are wrapped (well, I own wrapping paper) and the Christmas songs are out (time for Michael Buble to come out of his cage).

But alas, it was all in vain. Watch your mum and dad keep a straight face whilst saying “But what about all that booze we bought?”.

Watch the relief in your mum and dad’s face as they realise they won’t have to be around any potentially virus-carrying young folk. I know plenty of parents that are scared of catching stuff off people in their twenties. Whether it’s a cold or a hangover, there’ll be slight relief in not having to breathe so much of it in.

Nonetheless, it is still sad that Christmas has been reduced to what it was originally intended for, one day.

Politicians often have to be the bearers of bad news, make uncomfortable, unpopular decisions but cancelling Christmas is a whole new level. So far, the main complaints I’ve seen is about how families are now going to end up with too much food, too much booze and too much chocolate.

Not exactly the worst situation to be in. Of course, we’re going to miss our Christmas Eve nights out, our Boxing day booze ups and the build up to the New Year, but we’re at least, some of us, able to spend the day itself with our loved ones.

Let us lend a prayer to any of our Northern brothers and sisters stuck down behind enemy lines, working in London or thereabouts.

Many of whom didn’t survive the stampede of Northerners through Kings Cross or Euston in order to catch the last few trains out. Something of a deranged, middle-class, border dash, with only those who could afford a last minute train making it out alive.

Those who’d spent a quarter of their last month’s wage on an open return to Preston and now couldn’t afford another, are unfortunately resigned to a cockney Christmas this year.

At a time like this, I think it’s always important to embrace that Christmas spirit and lend a thought to those who need it most at Christmas.

The politicians. Whether you’re seeing family or not this year, it’s important to remember that at least you can rest easy at night, knowing the legacy you left in your career isn’t the cancelling of Christmas, just that little bit too late.