For some people, it is a means to an end. For the people of Devon and Cornwall, however, it is crucial; What goes first? Jam or cream?

       The comedian, David Baddiel, has waded into the debate and has managed to infuriate the Cornish - who traditionally insist cream must go on scones last - but has gone one step further by opting for cranberry sauce instead of jam.

       Baddiel, 57, shared a picture of his scone to his 118,000 followers on Instagram, with the caption: “A lack of jam in the house I’m staying in means I’m having a scone with cranberry sauce. So sue me.”

       Cream tea has been served in the UK since the 11th century, and scones - and rows about them - have long been features of the quintessential dessert.

       The two English counties famous for cream teas are Cornwall and Devon, and have serious differences on the order; Cornish cream tea will do jam then cream, Devonians do it the other way around.

       Baddiel’s Instagram post has sparked a furious backlash on social media, with comments ranging from: “Jaysus, Mary and Joseph! I’m more concerned that you have the cream going down first” to “at least it’s on top of the cream!” and “What kind of monster doesn’t have jam in the house?”.

       Ben Anderson said: "So wrong on so many levels..." Amanda Bhavnani threatened: "Can I have the contact details of your solicitor please?"

       Another critic, Allen Wright, said: "Welcome to 2022, just when you thought it couldn't get any madder..."

       However, some of his followers praised Baddiel's scone as "delicious, inventive and classy". Jayne Walker added: "Oooh nice see I think cranberry sauce is very jammy anyway."

       This is not the first time that cream tea has sparked furious online debate as well as rivalry between Devon and Cornwall. In 2018, the National Trust apologised to the Cornish after appearing to endorse putting cream on scones first.

       Lanhydrock House and Garden, a National Trust property in Cornwall prompted outrage after it advertised cream teas for Mother’s Day - with a photograph showing the cream being spread before the jam.

       A statement said: "We'd like to sincerely apologise for any offence caused by a recent scone-shot shown on the page.

       ''The member of staff responsible has been reprimanded and marched back over the Tamar.

       "We'd like to reassure our Cornish community that our catering team would never make such a heinous mistake and that our jam and cream are usually served in little pots so the order of their application is not subject to such appalling error. Rest assured, your mothers are safe here."