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Theresa May wasn’t the only thing missing from the BBC’s TV debate.

There should also have been a buzzer.

This could have been an opportunity for a serious debate on Brexit, the economy, defence and public services.

Instead we got a cross between the Jeremy Kyle show and the Weakest Link.

Unfortunately there was no way of eliminating any of the shouty seven when they talked over each other, uttered banal soundbites or offered a duff answer.

Haunting the proceedings was the absent spectre of Theresa May who like Mrs Mainwaring in Dad’s Army or the Ugly Naked Guy in Friends played a key part without ever being seen.

Read all the details from the BBC's election leadership debate here

Her understudy was Amber Rudd who came armed with a large folder of scripted attacks on Jeremy Corbyn which landed with the grace of an elephant doing a bellyflop.

When she asked people to “judge us on our record” the audience responded with laughter.

When she tried to claim the Tories had protected the poor, Corbyn shot back: “Have you ever been to a foodbank?”

This was a thankless gig for the Home Secretary. It was like sending Charles Hawtrey into the ring against Anthony Joshua.

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She ran gamely round the ring but it should have been Mrs May to take the punches and it should have been Mrs May to hear the audience applaud opponents when they condemned her government’s cuts.

As Green co-leader Caroline Lucas said “the first rule of leadership is to show up.”

How the politicians fared on the night:

Amber Rudd

Conservative

The Home Secretary took one for the Tory team. Deserves sympathy for standing in for Theresa May just two days after her father died.

Her pre-scripted attack on this is what a “coalition of chaos” would look like backfired as opponents accused her of lining up with UKIP.

Low point was when audience laughed at her plea to “judge us on our record.”

At one point she said she was trying to make a “good fist” of it, which pretty much summed up her performance.

Score: 3/5

Jeremy Corbyn

Labour

This was not a format which played to his strengths but the Labour leader’s last minute decision to take part paid off. Struggled on immigration but deflected Amber Rudd’s accusation he was weak on terrorism by pointing out Theresa May had also voted against anti-terror laws.

Had a good moment when attacking the Tories on poverty and food banks.

Score: 3/5

Tim Farron

Lib Dem

Did little to dispel accusations he lacks the authority of a leader. His constant references to his own personal experiences are also becoming tiresome and he struggled to land punches on Brexit.

He ended well with a decent attack on Theresa May for not showing up. “You’re not worth Theresa May’s time. Don’t give her yours,” he told the audience.

Score: 2/5

Caroline Lucas

Green

Was too earnest at times but overall did a better job of communicating left-of-centre policies than Jeremy Corbyn.

She gave a strong argument for wanting to scrap Trident and won applause for her condemnation of selling arms to the Saudis.

Score: 4/5

Leanne Wood

Plaid Cymru

Was anonymous for much of the debate but redeemed herself with the best put down of the evening.

When Paul Nuttall said he would refuse to pay a divorce settlement to the EU, she slapped him down with this zinger: “Would you refuse to pay your dues if you were going through a real divorce? We all know about blokes like you.”

Score: 2/5

Angus Robertson

SNP

As a former TV journalist the SNP’s leader in Westminster was comfortable in front of the camera.

Some will have been put off by his sanctimony but he delivered a passionate defence immigration.

Score: 2/5

Paul Nuttall

UKIP

Acted like a pub bore trying to defend his football team after it has lost 7-0.

Tried to play to the gallery without realising they had all left at the interval for a drink and an ice-cream.

Had all of the bile of Nigel Farage but none of his charm.

Score: 1/5