The decision by supermarket chain Waitrose to replace TV chef Delia Smith's column in its magazine with one from socialite Pippa Middleton has been blasted by online commenters.

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich City joint-majority shareholder Delia Smith.Norwich City joint-majority shareholder Delia Smith. (Image: Archant © 2011)

It was announced in January that Waitrose and Delia, who is joint-majority shareholder of Norwich City Football Club alongside her husband Michael Wynn-Jones, were parting ways.

Delia had been the face of Waitrose for the last three years but a new contract could not be agreed.

Miss Middleton, the sister of the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, has been announced as the new face of the supermarket's brand and will start her column in April's edition of Waitrose Kitchen.

But the Waitrose accounts on social media network Twitter and Facebook have blasted the decision.

On Twitter, @ltmorgan54 said: 'So Waitrose drops Delia Smith for Pippa Middleton, the lady who's probably never boiled herself an egg.'

While @Clitherowkid tweeted: 'I want a real cook to inspire me, not a relative of the royals who just happens to be famous for wearing a dress.'

It was a similar story on Facebook, where the decision to replace Delia, 71, whose cookery books have sold 21 million copies, was also criticised.

David Lee wrote: 'Why oh why would you drop Delia Smith, we have used her recipes for years. Pippa is hardly a famous cook, perhaps a few cupcakes, does that qualify her for the job?'

The operators of the Waitrose accounts have pointed out that Middleton is not a direct replacement for Delia, but an additional columnist for the magazine.

However a Waitrose spokesman said: 'We are not making any comment about what is on Facebook and Twitter because we are absolutely delighted that Pippa Middleton is joining us as a columnist.'

In Norfolk Waitrose has stores in Eaton, Wymondham, North Walsham and Swaffham.