Sunak v Starmer: The ITV Debate — release date, moderator and everything we know

Julie Etchingham
Julie Etchingham is keeping order (hopefully). (Image credit: Getty Images)

Sunak v Starmer: The ITV Debate is the first head-to-head debate before the General Election, which takes place on Thursday, July 4.

With Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer ahead in the polls, he will be extra keen to ensure he doesn't make any big gaffs, while Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will be hoping this will provide a chance to kickstart his campaign.

Michael Jermey, ITV's Director of News and Current Affairs said: "Millions of viewers value the election debates. They provide a chance to see and hear the party leaders set out their pitch to the country, debate directly with each other and take questions from voters. ITV is pleased to be broadcasting the first debate in this year's election campaign."

Meanwhile, the next debate head-to-head debate between Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer is taking place on the BBC on Wednesday, June 26.

What time is Sunak v Starmer: The ITV Debate?

Sunak v Starmer: The ITV Debate is on ITV1 on Tuesday, June 4 at 9 pm and will end at 10.10 pm. It is followed by The ITV Election Interviews, which sees Anushka Asthana invite the leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey, SNP leader John Swinney, Reform UK leader Richard Tice and co-leaders of the Green Party Carla Denyer and Adrian Ramsay to answer her questions in extended interviews. If you're in the mood for irony, the Sunak v Starmer debate is in the same slot as the first episode of Love Island 2024 was shown the previous night!

Is Sunak v Starmer: The ITV Debate live?

Yes it is. It's being filmed live in front of a studio audience, so anything could happen!

Who's the moderator?

Julie Etchingham. The 54-year-old journalist also hosted debates in 2015, 2017 and 2019.

Jeepers, is there anything more exciting on?

If you don't fancy watching Sunak and Starmer trading blows, BBC One is showing The Sewing Bee 2024 at the same time! See our TV guide for more shows to enjoy.

David Hollingsworth
Editor

David is the What To Watch Editor and has over 20 years of experience in television journalism. He is currently writing about the latest television and film news for What To Watch.

Before working for What To Watch, David spent many years working for TV Times magazine, interviewing some of television's most famous stars including Hollywood actor Kiefer Sutherland, singer Lionel Richie and wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough. 

David started out as a writer for TV Times before becoming the title's deputy features editor and then features editor. During his time on TV Times, David also helped run the annual TV Times Awards. David is a huge Death in Paradise fan, although he's still failed to solve a case before the show's detective! He also loves James Bond and controversially thinks that Timothy Dalton was an excellent 007.

Other than watching and writing about telly, David loves playing cricket, going to the cinema, trying to improve his tennis and chasing about after his kids!