The Liberal Democrats took a case to court to try and be included in tonight's debate - but they lost.

The party has tweeted that "millions of Remainers won't have their voices heard" as a result.

But their leader, Jo Swinson, will be appearing on a programme at 22:00 GMT on ITV to put her views across about the head-to-head between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn.

A small group of protesters have gathered outside the event in Salford with a number of colourful signs criticising Boris Johnson.

We can't show them all - use your imagination why - but here is a clean snap.

Nick Eardley
BBC political correspondent

Spinners from both parties are doing the rounds before the debate trying to set the scene for tonight. I’ll spare you the campaign messages - we’ll get that from the horses' mouths when both men make their opening speeches in half an hour.

But both parties are accepting tonight is about more than policy - it’s about character too. Labour spinners are going to try and paint Mr Corbyn as the honest, straight-talking politician and Mr Johnson less so.

Mr Johnson, for his part, wants the public to be thinking who is more suitable to be sitting in Number 10 - who has the best leadership skills. No prizes for guessing who the Tory press team say that is.

A reminder that the BBC's Reality Check team is gearing up to fact-check statements made by Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn. Go on, give them a follow...

Each leader will have one minute for their opening statement - with Jeremy Corbyn set to go first after lots were drawn - and 45 seconds for closing statements - with Boris Johnson set to go last.

The main debate will last an hour in front of the studio audience of about 200 people.

Questions will come from ITV viewers from different political and social backgrounds.

They're bound to cover topics like Brexit, the economy, the NHS and the environment.

With less than an hour to go until the first head-to-head debate between Boris Johnson and Jeremy Corbyn, we know you will be readying yourselves.

But once you have poured that mug of tea/glass of wine/pint of gin, take a few minutes to look back at the big stories of the day:

• The Green Party launches its manifesto - pledging to reach net zero carbon emissions in the UK by 2030
• Boris Johnson promises "greater freedoms" for police to use stop and search on those known to have carried knives in the past
• Labour's John McDonnell says workers and consumers will "take back control" under a new business model if his party wins the election
• The Lib Dems say they will add a penny to the basic rate of income tax to allow them to spend more on the NHS if they get into power
• And Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage calls for a cap on immigration of 50,000 a year

Nick Eardley
BBC political correspondent

We got a sneak preview of what Boris Johnson wants to focus on earlier. He wrote a letter to Jeremy Corbyn asking for clarity on his Brexit position and you can expect the PM to spend the first part of the debate returning to those questions whenever he can.

Does Mr Corbyn want to leave the EU? Would he stop freedom of movement? Can he persuade his party to come with him?

Mr Corbyn is bound to know that and you can expect him to have prepared an answer. But he’ll want to persuade voters at home that this election is about a lot more than Brexit - that we should be focusing on his agenda for domestic politics, from free broadband to the NHS.

Let’s face it - we’ve all heard the campaign messages and lines. Tonight is about how both men fair under intense scrutiny from each other, and perhaps more importantly, from the studio audience.

Slip ups and mistakes can have a big impact and - just maybe - change a few minds.

For all you Electioncast fans it might be a late one, but fear not, it will happen... Via our website or BBC Sounds.

A number of senior members of both the Conservatives and Labour are expected to be in Manchester tonight to support and celebrate their respective leaders.

We think we have spotted our first cabinet minister.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab arrived a few minutes ago to back his boss, Boris Johnson.

BBC Radio 5 Live

Justice minister Chris Philp's just been on 5 Live Drive - and it's a fair guess he offered a taste of Boris Johnson's top line later.

After "two or three years of crippling uncertainty", the prime minister has "against expectations" got a Brexit deal so "we can all move on", he says.

And as for reports, external Mr Johnson's been having coaching from a US debates guru, Mr Philp says: "If Harry Kane's going to play for England, you expect him to have some training before doing that."

Image source, PA Media

Away from the debate for a moment to tell you that the leader of Plaid Cymru will be appearing on BBC One Wales at 19:00 GMT as part of our series of Ask the Leaders programmes.

Adam Price will take questions from a studio audience about the party’s policy platform for the general election.

The 30-minute show will be hosted by Bethan Rhys Roberts.

Later tonight at 22:45 on BBC One, it will be the turn of Nigel Farage to face audience questions, and tomorrow, the Green Party's co-leader Jonathan Bartley will be put under the spotlight.

BBC Radio 5 Live

"I didn't get the Caesar salad but I am part of the backroom team," reveals Labour's Barry Gardiner on 5 Live Drive.

That's a reference to the fact that Jeremy Corbyn revealed earlier he'd prepared for the debate with just such an energy-packed meal.

Mr Gardiner says Labour "wants to unite Britain, but the Tories have torn it apart", predicting: "My view on this is Jeremy will... just be himself, and that's what he needs to be."

Leaders' debates tend to produce anticipation - and hope - that there could be an election-changing, mood-shifting "moment". But the BBC's digital elections reporter reminds us that these moments come - and go....

Iain Watson's in the spin room and here is the set for the debate itself. Looks a bit like The Cube to us, slightly futuristic, slightly gameshow-esque...

We are gearing up for the debate here in Salford.

People are now taking their places in the "spin room" - and some people are even "pre-spinning"...

Some of the shadow cabinet are here, and I have seen prominent Conservatives - although not yet cabinet ministers. But I believe they will be parading afterwards.

It is all about the main event though - the first time the leader of the opposition and the prime minister have taken each other on in a head-to-head debate.

We haven't heard much from Theresa May since she left No 10, but the former prime minister has been spotted out on the campaign trail, knocking on doors in Kirriemuir.

She says tonight's TV debate will show people a “very clear choice” between Boris Johnson, who will “deliver Brexit, take this country forward for brighter future” and Jeremy Corbyn, “whose polices will destroy our economy”

Speaking to the BBC whilst campaigning in the Angus constituency, she also says the SNP needs to "stop obsessing about independence and get on with their day-to-day job”.

The Labour leader took some selfies with supporters, had a quick word with journalists and then headed inside. His opponent tonight, Boris Johnson, doesn't seem to have arrived yet...

Laura Kuenssberg
BBC political editor

It is still early in this election and there is a long way to go.

But it is clear already there is so much that is different between these two main candidates to be prime minister.

Difference in terms of their plans for the country and in terms of their personalities.

But also in terms of how the public views them.

Do you know what the two big camps have got in common tonight though?

Nerves.

They are well aware in both Labour and Tory ranks that their candidates can divide as well as delight.

And although broadly the polls put the Tories ahead at the moment and Labour some way behind, big events like this - when millions of people will be watching their every move - are big opportunities to impress, but also big moments where mistakes can be made.