Channel 4 and Sky News will broadcast a live 90-minute programme this evening called ‘Cameron & Miliband Live: The Battle for Number 10,’ just days before parliament is dissolved and the election campaigns begin in earnest.

Channel 4’s election night presenter Jeremy Paxman will interview both David Cameron and Ed Miliband individually in front of a studio audience; allowing viewers to hear directly from the two party leaders – one of whom is likely to be our next Prime Minister. Sky News presenter Kay Burley will moderate as questions from the audience are put to the two leaders.

Having won the toss of a coin that took place on Sunday to decide the running order, Leader of the Opposition Ed Miliband has opted to be interviewed second so the programme will open with Paxman interviewing Prime Minister David Cameron for up to 18 minutes. Following this, Kay Burley will moderate a Q&A between the studio audience and him for a further 18 minutes approximately.

Miliband will then take questions from the studio audience, overseen by Burley before he, too, is interviewed by Paxman.

Jeremy Paxman said: “This is the most intriguing election for decades. It’s going to be tremendous fun to find out what Cameron and Miliband plan for us if they get the chance. After all one of them will be Prime Minister.”

Immediately after the programme airs, Sky will broadcast live footage from the ‘spin room’ where each of the party’s representatives will comment on how their leaders and their competitors, performed.

Channel 4 News will be providing extensive exclusive digital material around the debate – including highlights, analysis, and insights from the social media conversation. Political Correspondent Michael Crick will bring his trademark flair to the political spin room afterwards.

The programme will be produced by Sky News live from a London venue and broadcast simultaneously on both Channel 4 and Sky News from 9pm across multiple platforms and made available to all media. The debate will be available to view online from both Channel 4 and Sky’s YouTube channels, Channel 4’s Channel4.com watch live player: http://www.channel4.com/now/c4.

Kay Burley added: “I am delighted to be part of this major programme right at the start of the election campaign, and have a chance to put the views of the voters directly to the next potential leader of the country.”

Discussion on social media will be encouraged throughout with the use of the hashtag #battlefornumber10