boris back 2 Getty

Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage replaced by melting ice sculptures after refusing to turn up to Channel Four News‘ live election debate on climate change.

Johnson’s team threatened the broadcaster it could lose its license following the stunt.

The prime minister’s father offered to attend the debate in his son’s place.

Johnson has previously thrown doubt on the science of climate change.

Boris Johnson was replaced by a melting ice sculpture on a live television debate about climate change, after he refused to turn up.

Channel Four News called a special televised election debate between all party leaders on Thursday evening.

However, when both the prime minister and Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage refused to turn up they were replaced by two melting ice sculptures, representing „the emergency on planet Earth.“

Watch Boris Johnson replaced by melting ice sculpture

Tweet Embed: //twitter.com/mims/statuses/1200112941170937859?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw These two ice sculptures – which represent the emergency on planet earth – will take the place of Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage tonight after they declined our invitation to attend a party leaders‘ #ClimateDebateTune in at 7pm on 4 and here on Twitter: https://t.co/GXl7XiFbgA pic.twitter.com/niPE5MLdGV

Johnson’s father Stanley attempted to take part in the debate in his son’s place, but the broadcasters refused.

Tweet Embed:

//twitter.com/mims/statuses/1200116865894363136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

In a last ditch attempt ⁦@BorisJohnson⁩ has sent his two wing men best friend ⁦@michaelgove⁩ and dad Stanley Johnson to argue their way into a programme intended only for leaders. they were lovely and charming but neither are the leader #climatedebate pic.twitter.com/3TdGT3Q4ZJ

Channel Four’s decision was greeted with fury by Johnson’s team. One Downing Street source told Buzzfeed that Johnson would review the channel’s licence in an apparent retaliation for the stunt.

„If we are re-elected we will have to review Channel 4’s Public Services Broadcasting obligations,“ the source said told the website.

„Broadcasting organisations are rightly held to a higher standard — and particularly Channel 4 which has a special role enshrined in legislation. Any review would of course look at whether its remit should be better focused so it is serving the public in the best way possible.“

Johnson has previously been a climate change sceptic, repeatedly using his Telegraph column to promote the theories of climate-change-denying scientist Piers Corbyn, who is the brother of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.