Election 2017: George Osborne and Ed Balls to reunite as political pundits on ITV

Former opponents offer expert analysis on results night

Former Chancellor George Osborne arrives at the ‘London Evening Standard’ offices at Northcliffe House in Kensington, west London, to begin his new role as editor of the newspaper (PA Wire)

Former adversaries George Osborne and Ed Balls will be reunited at the general election as they take part in ITV's coverage of the vote.

Used to facing off over economic policy in their former roles as Chancellor and Shadow Chancellor, the pair will join presenter Tom Bradby to give expert political analysis as the results come in.

Mr Osborne, now editor of the London Evening Standard — which has run a series of front-page stories critical of his former party following his sacking as Chancellor — said he hoped to provide "a different perspective on what’s happening and how all the main characters might be feeling".

Mr Balls, who lost his seat at the last election in 2015, said: "It’s the first time in over twenty years that neither George Osborne nor I will be actively involved for one of the two main parties."

Rounding out the panel will be newscaster Nina Hossain, political editor Robert Peston, national editor Allega Stratton, and political scientists Jane Green and Colin Rallings, ITV said.

In the run-up to polling day, party leaders will face each other on a pair of BBC Question Time leaders' special episodes.

On Friday 2 June, Theresa May will meet Jeremy Corbyn for a question-and-answer session in York. It is due to last 90 minutes and it will not be a head-to-head debate. Viewers can tune in from 8.30pm on BBC One.

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron will go up against the SNP's Nicola Sturgeon in Edinburgh on Sunday. Again on BBC One, the second programme will begin at 5.55pm and last one hour.

Both programmes will be presented by regular Question Time host David Dimbleby.