The TV leaders' debates will happen during the 2015 general election campaign even if David Cameron doesn't turn up, after broadcasters rejected the prime minister's counter-proposal and said they would push ahead without him.
The decision to push ahead regardless means Cameron faces being represented by an empty lectern if he chooses not to turn up.
Cameron's team have been fighting to kill off the leaders' debates – which the Conservatives blame for costing them the 2010 election – by raising a lengthy series of concerns about the timing and format of any live debate. First they said the Greens needed to be included, then that Northern Ireland's DUP had to be included, then they raised concerns about the timing of the debates.
On Wednesday the prime minister's head of communications issued a "final offer", saying Cameron would only be willing to take part in a single debate involving seven party leaders – and then only if it took place before the end of March.
But on Friday the broadcasters responded, insisting that they would stick to their proposed series of three debates. This includes two debates involving several party leaders and a single head-to-head discussion between Miliband and Cameron, all held in April during the official election campaign.
"The debates will go ahead and we anticipate millions of viewers will find them valuable as they did in 2010," the broadcasters said. "Our invitations will remain open to all the invited leaders right up to broadcast. We'll set no deadlines for final responses. We very much hope all the leaders will participate."
This is the full statement issued by the broadcasters:
Today the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Sky confirm they will continue with the series of televised leaders' debates as planned in the General Election campaign.
The broadcasters welcome the fact that the Prime Minister has for the first time agreed to take part in a televised debate. However, the group believes there needs to be two seven-way debates of a minimum of two hours each, within the election campaign, allowing time to properly represent the views of all parties, covering a broad range of subjects.
The broadcasters also believe that a head-to-head debate between the two individuals who could become Prime Minister - David Cameron and Ed Miliband - is important, something the Prime Minister has publicly supported.
The debates will go ahead on the following dates:
2nd April: ITV produced seven way debate with the Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, UKIP, the SNP and Plaid Cymru
16th April: BBC produced seven way debate with the Conservative Party, Labour Party, Liberal Democrats, the Green Party, UKIP, the SNP and Plaid Cymru
30th April: Sky News and Channel 4 produced head to head debate between the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition
As Sky News and Channel 4 have already said they are prepared to hold the two party debate on a different date if the leaders of the Labour and Conservative parties can agree on a date.
The broadcasters would like the Prime Minister to reconsider taking part in all of these debates. 22 million people watched the leaders' debates in 2010 and there is a public desire and expectation for them to happen again in 2015
The broadcasters proposals have come after extensive work over the last six months to ensure the public have the opportunity to watch televised election debates once more. The group have worked in an independent, impartial manner, treating invited parties on an equitable basis. They have listened to the views expressed by all parties and adapted the proposals to take into account electoral support.
The broadcasters will continue to work closely with all parties invited to take part in the televised debates to bring them to their millions of viewers across the UK. The heads of news of all four broadcasters would welcome the opportunity to meet Mr Cameron, or his representatives, to discuss the debates.