Prime Minister Theresa May looks set to take part in a Question Time-style televised session after ruling out an election debate with rival leaders.

The 60-year-old today said she will not take part in debates in the run up to the snap General Election and will instead hit the campaign trail and talk to voters in person.

She faced mounting criticism over her decision amid accusations that she is trying to 'run away' from scrutiny.

Theresa May has confirmed that she will not take part in the televised leaders's debates in the run up to the snap election. The PM said she will travel the country talking to voters rather than tour the TV studios

The PM was quizzed about her decision not to take part in televised debates during an appearance on BBC Radio 4's Today programme. There have been calls for the debates to go ahead with her and for the broadcasters to 'empty chair' Mrs May

But it seems she is set to appear on a question and answer style show, according to The Telegraph.

Her aides confirmed that the Prime Minister is not against taking part in a 'longform television programme' when the audience asked her questions.

Television channel ITV said it will defy the PM and hold a leaders' debate during the General Election campaign, as it did during the past elections in 2010 and 2015.

It is understood that Julie Etchingham will host it, with the full details expected to be announced in early May.

While a senior BBC journalist said they would not let a single politician stop a programme which was in the public interest.

Jonathan Munro, BBC's Head of Newsgathering, told The Telegraph he did 'not want to get in a position where any party leader stops us doing a programme that we think is in the public interest'.

He said: 'There is a proven track record over two elections and two referendums that debates reach huge audiences including a lot of young people who don't watch conventional political coverage in great numbers.

'We think it is very much in their interest that peak time debates go ahead. In 2010 and 2015 the number of young and first time voters going to the polls was up on previous elections.

'We believe there was a relationship between that and the audience the debates pulled in. It helps engagement with hard to reach audiences.'

The Prime Minister today confirmed that she will not face Mr Corbyn and other party leaders in live TV debates in the run-up to the June 8 poll.

Instead she said she will get 'out and about' and meet voters.

Mrs May told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'We won't be doing television debates.'

She added: 'I believe in campaigns where politicians actually get out and about and meet with voters.

'That's what I have always believed in, it's what I still believe and I still do it - as Prime Minister, as a constituency MP, I still go out and knock on doors in my constituency.

'That's what I believe in doing, that's what I'm going to be doing around this campaign.'

TV debates were a major feature of last year's EU referendum battle but then PM David Cameron steered clear of taking part in a head to head

The move is a clear rebuff of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who within hours of the election being called threw down the gauntlet to the Prime Minister with a direct challenge to a TV contest on Twitter.

As the clear front runner Mrs May will be seen as having the most to lose from a TV debate as the format tends to benefit insurgent candidates the most.

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron accused Mrs May of 'bottling' the debates and urged broadcasters to 'empty chair' her if she refused to take part.

'The Prime Minister's attempt to dodge scrutiny shows how she holds the public in contempt,' said Mr Farron.

'The British people deserve to see their potential leaders talking about the future of our country.'

Broadcasters have a 'moral duty' to stage debates, said the Lib Dem leader, adding: 'I expect the broadcasters to do the right thing, don't let the Conservatives call the shots. If the Prime Minister won't attend - empty chair her.'

And Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood - whose profile received a major boost from her involvement in two of the 2015 broadcasts - said: 'Theresa May should be empty chaired if she doesn't show up to any planned TV debates.'

Britain's first ever election debate took place ahead of the 2010 general election when (from left) David Cameron, Nick Clegg and Gordon Brown clashed on live TV

Live TV debates took place for the first time in a UK general election in 2010, with three clashes between the leaders of the three biggest national parties, Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg.

Following considerable wrangling over formats, the 2015 election campaign saw one debate featuring Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg alongside Labour's Ed Miliband and leaders of Ukip, the Scottish National Party, Greens and Plaid Cymru.

A second debate with the five non-coalition parties and programmes in which Mr Cameron, Mr Clegg and Mr Miliband answered questions but did not debate face-to-face.

A BBC spokeswoman said: 'We will set out our General Election coverage plans in due course.'