General Election 2017 TV debates: Times, dates and everything else you need to know

Party leaders during a debate ahead of the 2015 election
Hatty Collier12 May 2017

Senior figures from the major political parties are set to appear in a host of TV programmes where they will debate one another and be grilled by voters ahead of the General Election.

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn will face voters in a BBC Question Time special after refusing to take part in a head-to-head TV leaders debate.

Mrs May has repeatedly refused to join TV debates, while Mr Corbyn vowed he would not take part in a televised showdown if it only involved opposition leaders.

Tim Farron and Nicola Sturgeon will also take part in a second BBC Question Time special. Both programmes will be chaired by veteran broadcaster David Dimbleby.

The BBC and ITV are also set to host live TV debates involving senior politicians from all the major political parties - Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, SNP, Plaid Cymru, Green Party and Ukip politicians - among a host of other shows.

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn will take part in a Question Time Leader Special

There will be more than 10 hours of prime-time viewing on the BBC with programmes taking different formats.

When are the debates?

ITV Leaders’ Debate, 8pm on Thursday May 18

The ITV Leaders’ Debate, moderated by Julie Etchingham, with leaders from all seven major political parties invited to attend.

Mr Corbyn and Mrs May could be empty chaired as they have indicated that they will not take part in this debate.

Leaders will have the opportunity to make short statements at the beginning and conclusion of the debate.

They will also answer questions asked directly by members of a studio audience, before the floor is opened up to a period of free flowing debate.

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron and Ukip leader Paull Nuttall hav confirmed they will take part.

The BBC Election Debate live, BBC One at 7.30pm-9pm on Wednesday May 31

The BBC will broadcast this live election debate from Cambridge, involving senior Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, SNP, Plaid Cymru, Green Party and Ukip politicians. It will be moderated by Mishal Husain.

Question Time Leader Special, BBC One at time TBC on June 2

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn will face voters in a BBC Question Time special hosted by David Dimbleby live from York.

Question Time Leader Special, BBC One at time TBC on June 4

Tim Farron and Nicola Sturgeon will face voters in a BBC Question Time special hosted by David Dimbleby live.

General Election 2017 Campaign - In pictures

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Election Questions to UKIP leader Paul Nuttall, BBC One, 10.30-11pm in England (11-11.30pm in Wales) on June 4

Mr Nuttall will answer questions from an audience in Bristol.

Election Questions to Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood, BBC One, 11-11.30pm in England (10-10.30pm in Wales) on June 4

Ms Wood will answer questions from an audience in Swansea.

BBC Newsbeat Youth debate on June 6

Younger voters will be the focus of a Radio 1 Newsbeat debate on June 6, where leading politicians from all parties will address an audience of 16 to 34-year-olds in Manchester.

It will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 1 and the BBC News Channel at 9pm, then on BBC One at 10.40pm.

Other programmes

There will be one-on-one interviews with party leaders conducted by Andrew Neil shown on the BBC in the evenings.

Labour leader Mr Corbyn is expected to appear on BBC's The One Show on a date still to be announced. It follows Mrs May’s appearance with her husband Philip earlier this week.