Image source, Getty Images

A bit more from the former Labour and Conservative advisers, who say that role-playing your opponent is a crucial part of debate preparation.

Mr Kenningham, the former Conservative adviser, says that he understands Michael Gove has been playing the role of Jeremy Corbyn in the Tory preparations.

But - perhaps disappointingly - former Labour adviser Mr Mills says that no-one is trying to do an impression of Boris Johnson's characteristic mannerisms. Debate role-playing is not about "copying his demeanour but using his attack lines", Mr Mills says.

Mr Johnson will be told to be "strong and electrifying" on key Conservative issues like the economy, law and order and Brexit, but "be boring on areas of perceived weakness, like the NHS".

"You want to neutralise those areas," he says.

One of Mr Corbyn's strengths is that he doesn't get too nervous in debates. "He’s actually quite relaxed in these situations," says Mr Mills,

Image source, AFP

Two people with experience of prepping party leaders for big debates have been sharing some of their insights and expectations for tonight's head-to-head on ITV.

Giles Kenningham, former director of communications for David Cameron, tells BBC Breakfast that Jeremy Corbyn needs tonight to be "electrifying" and a "game-changer" to overcome his deficit in the opinion polls.

"For the Tories a scrappy affair will do them – something that is forgettable and they can walk away from," he says.

James Mills, a former adviser to Mr Corbyn and to Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, says: "You can’t win the election from this debate, it’s the first one. But you can lose it."

He says the pressure is on Boris Johnson as the front runner and Mr Corbyn will seek to avoid personal clashes and focus on "his vision for the country".

Both experts agree that the parties will be looking for an early "sucker punch" that can be used as a clip on the evening news bulletins, as well as being shared on social media.

Norman Smith
Assistant political editor

What is slightly different about this debate is that it is the first time that we will just have had just two prime ministerial candidates head-to-head. The last time we had anything like this you have to go all the way back to 2010 when there were three people in the ring, not just Gordon Brown and David Cameron, but Nick Clegg too.

That did provide a change in the dynamic because of that brief upsurge in 'Cleggmania'. So these debates do have the potential to change the dynamic but very often they do not, in part because both sides tend to be so well prepared, so well drilled, so familiar with each other’s arguments.

We also see so much of our political leaders now. Our views of them and our perceptions of them are pretty well grounded, so it would have to be an almighty zinger or an extraordinary clanger for it to be a really game-changing moment.

In terms of the choreography tonight, half of it is going to be devoted to Brexit, and actually that undoubtedly plays to Boris Johnson because he wants this election to be about Brexit, and he’s going to get half of this one-hour program on this one subject.

Tonight's debate is a one-on-one event between the Conservatives and Labour, with only Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn appearing on stage.

The Lib Dems and SNP had mounted a legal challenge for their leaders, Jo Swinson and Nicola Sturgeon, to be included in the debate. However, the claim was denied by the High Court in London last night.

Lord Justice Davis and Mr Justice Warby said the case was not suitable for judicial review as the host ITV was not carrying out a "public function" in law by holding the debate.

Peter Henley
Political editor, South of England

Image source, Stuart Martin/BBC

The docks are the heart of Southampton and 400 years ago the Mayflower sailed from here to found the New World.

There were high hopes too, when White Star's Titanic left Berth 44 in 1912.

People here have learned to take things in their stride; to be patient while they wait for a storm to pass, but also to take an opportunity when it is presented.

Brexit could go either way, and business people are very aware of the dangers. But it is the people of Southampton who will decide the fortunes of the city's MPs.

Read the full analysis

The city has three constituencies.

Southampton Test in the west of the city has been held by Labour since 1997, which won a comfortable majority at the last election.

Romsey and Southampton North is similarly seen as a safe Conservative seat.

But in the 2017 general election, Southampton Itchen - which includes the city's cruise terminal and neighbourhoods in the east of the city - was won by the Tories by just 31 votes.

Home to 250,000 people, the city has the busiest cruise port in northern Europe and the second largest container port in the UK.

The Mayflower, the Titanic and the QE2 are just some of the famous ships that have passed through its port. World War Two's iconic fighter plane, the Spitfire, was also designed and built in the city.

Its two universities, Southampton and Solent, have about 36,000 students in total.

In the 2016 referendum, the city voted Leave by a margin of 53.8% to 46.2%.

Image source, Getty Images

All day the BBC is taking a close look at Southampton, as part of our coverage of key battlegrounds in the general election.

There will be broadcasts from the city on BBC Breakfast, Radio 1's Newsbeat, BBC Radio 5 Live, the BBC News Channel, News at Six and News at Ten.

You can also follow our dedicated live page from Southampton.

On 6 December, the city will be playing host to the BBC head-to-head debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn.

Image source, PA Media

Who leads the party?

Jonathan Bartley and Sian Berry were voted as co-leaders of the Green Party of England and Wales in 2018.

Amelia Womack is the party's deputy leader.

How many candidates will stand in the general election?

The party will field 498 candidates in the upcoming general election.

Previously it had one seat in Parliament, held by Caroline Lucas for Brighton, Pavilion.

Where does the party stand on Brexit?

Ms Lucas has been a vocal campaigner for another referendum, and believes the UK should stay in the EU.

The party has formed an election pact with fellow anti-Brexit parties the Liberal Democrats and Plaid Cymru, agreeing not to stand against each other in dozens of seats in a bid to boost the number of Remain MPs.

The three parties all support another Brexit referendum and want the UK to remain in the EU.

The Green Party of England and Wales will launch its manifesto in London this morning.

(We have to use that title as there is a separate Scottish Greens party.)

The party's headline pledge is that, if it was in power, it would invest £100bn a year as part of a "green new deal" to tackle climate change - and make a commitment to reach net zero carbon emissions in the UK by 2030.

Read more about the party's manifesto pledges here.

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Also on the Today line-up this morning was Justice Secretary Robert Buckland.

He said that child murderers will face life in prison without parole if the party is returned to power.

Mr Buckland said: "In my long years in the criminal justice system, I've got frustrated to hear on the doorsteps people telling me that they don't have confidence in our sentencing system. I think it is incumbent upon me and those responsible for the system to do whatever it takes to increase that confidence."

He was also asked about the Duke of York's interview with BBC Newsnight's Emily Maitlis about his relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Mr Buckland said: "I don't think it would be right to comment about that particular case, but I think when we hear about these matters, then we have to put the victims, those who have made [the] serious complaint, at the centre of our considerations."

He added: "I think everybody needs to remember that when serious allegations are made and when in a case like this, the perpetrator has died, there are still people out there who have suffered and they need to be at the centre of our thoughts before we start to talk about the merits of individual cases."

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

And if you want to watch the Today programme's interview with Jonathan Bartley you can do so now.

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Back to Jonathan Bartley and his interview on Today earlier.

He was asked whether the Greens would take action such as confiscating petrol cars to achieve its manifesto aims and he said the party wants "to give people the alternatives to make choices".

He added: "What we're saying is we need a local transport revolution - by cutting fares and getting the kind of transport infrastructure they have on the continent.

"Of course [people can carry on as they are], but when are you going to make massive savings on your transport bills? When it's easier to take public transport.

"We want to introduce a frequent flyer levy, we are saying no to airport expansion, and in terms of domestic flights - it's about having a good solid local transport infrastructure that will get people around in comfort and in a cheaper way."

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Image source, Getty Images

The shadow chancellor confirms Labour is retaining its policy to scrap student tuition fees.

He adds that there "is an approach that has to be taken that looks at existing debt".

The government "must realise that the system is falling apart".

"I'm saying to the government the debt is not being paid," he says.

"Some government has got to sort this out."

That's what Labour has to say on the issue but where do the other parties stand?

• The Green Party has also pledged to scrap tuition fees.
• The Brexit Party has said it will scrap interest charges on tuition fees.
• Both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have yet to outline their plans.
• None of the main parties have suggested that outstanding fees or loans should be refunded or cancelled.

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell tells BBC Radio 4's Today programme that there are "grotesque levels of inequality in this country".

He says that needs to be tackled and that is "the main thrust of Labour going into government".

"We want to create a society where everybody has a decent quality of life," he says.

"I’m saying £100bn has been given away in cuts in capital gains tax, cuts to inheritance tax and again cuts to income tax at the highest level."

Find out more about Labour's economic plan

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

Jonathan Bartley, co-leader of the Green Party in England and Wales, says the party's election manifesto proposals are "very much about remaining in the EU and transforming the country by getting to that net zero target by 2030".

"When we are facing an existential threat, we don't hold back," he says. "If the climate were a bank, we would have bailed it out by now.

"We need to take the necessary action to improve everyone's life as well as making our future secure for everyone."

Still to come on Radio 4's Today Programme is shadow chancellor John McDonnell, who will be answering questions from 08:10.

Lib Dem justice spokesman Dr Phillip Lee has been on BBC Radio 4's Today programme this morning - but rather than speaking abut justice issues, he has been drawing on his particular expertise to discuss the NHS and his his party's stance on it.

Dr Lee, who has worked in a range of hospital and still works part-time as a GP, sounded a warning that the staffing crisis in the NHS will "get worse" if Brexit goes ahead.

He said: "We can see that there is a clear staffing crisis in the NHS and this is being exacerbated by the prospect of Brexit."

"In my own professional experience I meet many doctors over the years who are trained in the EU and indeed nursing staff and I think if we proceed with Brexit, the staffing crisis will get worse."

So we know that ITV get first crack at TV debates in this year's election campaign tonight at 8pm but when are the other debates?

The BBC has announced it will broadcast several election debate programmes:

• 22 November: A Question Time Leaders' Special at 19:00, hosted by Fiona Bruce. Conservative, Labour, SNP and the Lib Dem party leaders will take questions from the audience
• 29 November: A live debate from 19:00 with figures from the seven major political parties in the UK - Conservatives, Labour, Lib Dems, SNP, Greens, Plaid Cymru and the Brexit Party
• 6 December: A live head-to-head debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn. This will be hosted by Today presenter and former BBC political editor Nick Robinson from 20:30
• 9 December: Emma Barnett will host a Question Time Under-30 special, focused on an audience made up of young voters. It will be broadcast from 20:30

Sky News has also proposed a debate between Mr Johnson, Mr Corbyn and Liberal Democrats leader Jo Swinson, to take place on 28 November.

ITV has said it will hold a live interview-based programme alongside the head-to-head debate between Mr Johnson and My Corbyn tonight, to allow other parties to comment.

It has also said it will hold another multi-party debate ahead of the 12 December poll.

The BBC's Tim Muffett has been on set - where the neon is up and running - ahead of tonight's TV debate.

In addition to opting for the opening statement, Jeremy Corbyn has also chosen to stand at the podium on the left-hand side of the above image.

Boris Johnson will take the right.

There's seats for around 200 audience members in the studio, but the party leaders won't be roaming the stage to take questions from anyone.

They will be staying behind their podiums throughout the debate, moderated by Julie Etchingham.

One thing we already know about the debate is the order in which the two men will speak.

Lots were drawn and that has decided that Jeremy Corbyn will make the opening statement in tonight's debate.

But it also means that once the questions are over and the two men make their closing statements, it will be the prime minister who gets the opportunity to speak last before the credits roll.