Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn to face voters in Question Time special

Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn will face voters in a Question Time special after refusing to take part in a head-to-head TV leaders debate.

The BBC has announced plans for two programmes hosted by veteran broadcaster David Dimbleby, the first allowing the public to quiz the Prime Minister and Mr Corbyn while a second will involve Tim Farron and Nicola Sturgeon.

Mrs May has repeatedly refused to take part in TV debates, while Mr Corbyn vowed he would not take part in a televised showdown if it only involved opposition leaders.

Mrs May and Mr Corbyn are appearing on June 2 and Mr Farron and Ms Sturgeon on June 4.

Both leaders look set to avoid the embarrassment of being "empty chaired" for refusing to take part, as the BBC will also broadcast a live election debate on May 31 from Cambridge, involving senior Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat, SNP, Plaid Cymru, Green Party and Ukip politicians.

Mrs May will be interviewed with her husband Philip on The One Show tomorrow for a series exploring the person behind the politics. Mr Corbyn will also be interviewed on the programme.

There will be one-on-one interviews with party leaders conducted by Andrew Neil throughout the campaign and a series of debates between leaders in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Younger voters will be the focus of a Radio 1 Newsbeat debate on June 6, where leading politicians from all parties will address an audience of 16 to 34-year-olds in Manchester.

Jonathan Munro, head of BBC Newsgathering, said: "It is firmly in the public interest for audiences to hear from those seeking election.

"We know they connect with these formats because they are a public moment to focus on and audience members from all across the country get the chance to ask politicians their own questions."

ITV is also hosting an election debate on May 18, although neither Mrs May nor Mr Corbyn is due to take part.