She said: "We won't be doing television debates. 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."

Mrs May’s aides made clear that she is not against taking part in a “longform television programme” when she answers questions in front of a live studio audience.

Her predecessor David Cameron agreed to be questioned in front of a BBC Questiontime-style audience at the 2015 general election.