Theresa May will answer questions from voters in a live question and answer programme on the BBC before the election after the broadcaster backed down to avoid “embarrassing” her.

The national broadcaster said it would not "empty chair" Mrs May or any other leader who did not want to take party in head to head television debates.

It means that Mrs May is unlikely to debate any rival leader on the television before election day on June 8.

Mrs May will be expected to attend a Question Time TV debate on BBC One on June 2 where she and other leaders will be grilled separately by a live studio audience.

The BBC will also hold a seven way leaders' head to head debate on May 31 and televise nightly interviews with the seven leaders in the week starting May 22.