Balancing act How audience was compiled for the night

Comres, the independent pollster, was hired by the BBC to recruit an audience for the Leaders’ Debate which reflected the views of the population.

In all, 134 people were selected for the audience, after answering a questionnaire which included demographic questions to ensure a balance on “age, gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status and working status”, Comres said.

The final audience was also split equally between people who voted Leave and Remain at the 2015 general election, while Tory and Labour supporters were “roughly equivalent to each other”.