Theresa May won't debate Brexit on ITV because she will miss Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing judges Craig Revel-Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli. Photograph: Ian West/PA. - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images

Theresa May said she is ‘keen’ for the televised Brexit debate to take place, but won’t appear on ITV because she would miss Strictly Come Dancing.

Labour and Number 10 have been unable to reach a compromise over which channel will host the debate – with Downing Street preferring the BBC’s format, with Labour opting for the ITV format.

Opposition leader Corbyn has complained on This Morning that the BBC’s proposal would clash with jungle-based reality show I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!

Now Theresa May used the same platform to bemoan missing its ballroom dancing-based rival.

A head-to-head debate between the party leaders is due to take place on December 9, days before MPs are due to vote on her Withdrawal Agreement.

May told This Morning: ‘I’m keen to have a head-to-head with Jeremy Corbyn, I hope this actually goes through.

‘He said he wanted to be on ITV so he could watch the final of I’m a Celebrity … I think his proposal meant that I would miss Strictly.

‘I hate to say this on ITV but I’m a bit of a Strictly fan.’

She added that which channel would host the programme was still ‘being worked out’, with less than a week to go until it is supposed to go ahead.

It came after leading Tory Brexiteers warned that the BBC’s planned leaders’ TV debate would ‘breach the concept of impartiality’ unless it involves a prominent Leaver.

The Daily Telegraph reported Boris Johnson, Dominic Raab and other former cabinet ministers have written to BBC chairman Sir David Clementi to complain the views of the 17.4 million people who voted for Brexit would be ‘nowhere represented’ in the discussion.

They said that a senior Brexiteer should be included in the main line-up and not just on a proposed panel.

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has complained the proposal for a debate between the Conservative and Labour leaders – both of whom now support Brexit – meant the views of Remainers were being excluded.

In a letter to the BBC, ITV and Sky, Sir Vince put himself forward as an advocate for a People’s Vote in a second referendum.