Laura Kuenssberg
BBC political editor

Westminster's guessing game on Tuesday afternoon was who knew, and when.

No one will confirm officially on the record.

For what it's worth, sources tell me that David Davis and Philip Hammond were the only ministers who were extensively consulted.

Both Boris Johnson and Amber Rudd were told before Tuesday's cabinet meeting. 

But there were ministers around the cabinet table who had no idea and who were, it's said, visibly shocked when Theresa May told them.

Read more analysis from Laura 

Image source, bbc

See all the front pages in the BBC's newspaper review 

Laura Kuenssberg
BBC political editor

It's not even 24 hours since the PM called the general election she said she wouldn't call.

It's the opposite of Gordon Brown's "election that never was", rather the "election that wasn't meant to be".

Read the rest of Laura's blog here

Labour MP John Woodcock has said he cannot endorse Jeremy Corbyn as the next prime minister - adding there was still time for Mr Corbyn to stand down as Labour leader before the general election.

In a Facebook video, external, he announced that he would be seeking re-election in his constituency of Barrow and Furness, but "will not countenance ever voting to make Jeremy Corbyn Britain's prime minister".

He added: "Jeremy's opposition to the Trident renewal programme is life long and is well known. 

"But more than that, I cannot countenance endorsing him for a role which I think even he, although he may say differently in front of the cameras, does not think he is fit to carry out.

"There is still of course time for Jeremy to stand down rather than lead Labour to defeat." 

Image source, Labour party

Theresa May has called president Donald Trump to tell him about her plans for an early election, according to a White House statement.

 "President Trump wished the British people the best of luck in their electoral process," the statement said.

The Telegraph front page describes the prime minister's election decision as a "bolt from the blue" and says it was such a closely guarded secret most senior ministers only found out shortly before she made the public announcement.

The Daily Mail says it is a "stunning move" designed to call the bluff of the "game-playing Remoaners".

Image source, Daily Mail

Image source, Daily Telegraph

More of Wednesday's newspapers react to the news of the snap general election with some imaginative headlines.

Image source, Daily Star

Image source, The Times

Image source, Daily Express

Image source, The Guardian

More from that Sun interview with the prime minister.

Speaking of her hopes about voters, she said: "What I hope comes out of the election is support from the public to say we agree with their plan for Brexit, so that when I go into Europe I've got that backing of the British people".

She described the run-up to the election as a "a one-off chance" and "a window of opportunity" to go to the country for a popular mandate.

The PM told the paper: "The choice they face is between stable and strong leadership, which I hope they have seen, and a coalition of Corbyn supported by the Liberal Democrats and the SNP.

"I hope people will put their trust in the Conservative party to take forward what we've started."

The Daily Mirror front page picks up on the fact Theresa May has previously said she would not call an early election.

The newspaper says: "Yesterday she put herself and the Tories first".

Image source, Daily Mirror

It's been a dramatic day in British politics with Theresa May announcing there will be a general election on 8 June.

Here's how it all unfolded in a handy one-minute video.

Theresa May called a snap general election to stop EU rebels from derailing her Brexit negotiations, according to the Sun newspaper.

It carries an interview with the prime minister in which she says anti-Brexit MPs were "trying to stop us every step of the way".

She said following the triggering of Article 50 - the formal process to leave the EU - it became clear there was a "political game" being played in Westminster. 

Mrs May added: "We want the best possible hand, we want the best possible negotiating position with the European Union.

"If you look at some of the things that were said, there is very clear potential for voting against the legislation to implement the leaving of the EU, and against the final deal - trying to stop us every step of the way."

Image source, AFP

The i newspaper says "stunned" Britain is heading to the polls on 8 June after the PM shocked her own team by calling a snap election.

While the Metro calls it the "Brexit election" and says the PM seeks to "strengthen her hand" for EU talks.

After the Brexit and Trump victories, many might wonder whether we can trust poll predictions.

Bobby Duffy from pollsters Ipsos MORI says they are more often "right than wrong" and news polls should be "treated with respect, but treated with caution".

He says the Conservative party is currently polling on 45% and "could quite easily see" a three-figure seat majority in the Commons.

Mr Duffy also told the BBC voters will be voting on three main issues - leaderships, who people trust with the economy and Brexit.

As we head into the evening, tomorrow's newspaper front pages give a glimpse into how the press is reacting to the snap election announcement.

The Financial Times says Theresa May has "seized the initiative" on Brexit and wants a direct mandate for her plan to deliver a "smooth exit" from the EU.

Shortly before the planned general election, the Crown Prosecution Service is due to announce whether charges will be brought over allegations of breaching campaign spending limits by the Conservatives.

The alleged breaches relate to the general election held in 2015.

Several police forces have sent files to the CPS and decisions on charges are expected in late May and early June.

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesman told the Press Association that the announcement of the snap election would have no impact on the timing of decisions on whether to press charges.

Channel 4 News and the Daily Mirror reported on allegations relating to busloads of Conservative activists sent to key seats, whose expenses were reported as part of national campaign spend, rather than falling within the lower constituency limits.

Image source, PA

Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair called on voters to elect MPs who have "an open mind" on Brexit and are willing to vote on the deal obtained by Mrs May on its merits. 

Mr Blair said he was not calling for "tactical voting or some anti-Tory alliance" but that it was vital to keep open the possibility of MPs being ready to "put the national interest before party interest".