BBC or ITV? New clash on TV debate

THERESA May and Jeremy Corbyn clashed yesterday over which channel should show their televised Brexit debate.

Both have agreed in principle to go head-to-head on Sunday, December 9.

But the Prime Minister wants the debate to be aired on the BBC, which has apparently offered a time slot of 8pm – replacing Sir David Attenborough’s new series, Dynasties.

However, the Labour leader favours ITV, which has apparently offered an earlier time to guarantee it will not clash with the final of I’m A Celebrity, which is being broadcast by the channel that evening. Yesterday, it appeared the BBC had won the race after it announced that Mrs May had agreed to its proposal.

It is understood the BBC debate would start at 8pm in Birmingham, airing after Strictly Come Dancing. Among those thought to be in the frame to present is Mishal Husain, the Today show’s host.

If the debate is aired after the Strictly semi-final results show, it would be boosted by the 9.6 million viewers already watching the BBC. An hour-long 8pm slot would avoid a clash with the I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! final, which airs at 9pm on ITV.

The BBC said last night it hoped ‘to hear soon from the Labour Party’ if Mr Corbyn would join the TV event.

Labour, however, is said to be opposed to the BBC’s plan to feature, alongside Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn, a ‘panel’ of about 20 public figures involved in the Brexit debate, including politicians.

And yesterday, Mr Corbyn told ITV’s This Morning: ‘The ITV offer seemed a sensible one.’