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David Cameron tonight flatly refused to appear in televised leaders debates during the election campaign - despite Britain's biggest broadcasters threatening to go ahead without him. Number 10 said the Prime Minister's position was 'clear' – reiterating that he was willing to do one seven-way debate at the end of March but no more. Downing Street's response came after the BBC, ITV, Sky and Channel 4 rejected his 'final offer' – and threatened to 'empty chair' him if he did not show up. They said they would stick to their plan for three debates during April - including a head-to-head showdown between Mr Cameron and Ed Miliband - and urged Mr Cameron to 'reconsider' his refusal to take part in these shows. Downing Street had written to the broadcasters on Wednesday saying the PM's 'final offer' was a single 90-minute debate featuring at least seven leaders before March 30. But in a joint statement, the broadcasters said they would stick to plans for a seven-way debate involving Mr Cameron, Labour's Ed Miliband, Nick Clegg of the Lib Dems and the leaders of the Greens, Ukip, Scottish National Party and Plaid Cymru on ITV on April 2. This would be followed by a second show on BBC featuring the same line-up on April 16 and a final one-on-one clash between the Tory and Labour leaders on Sky News and Channel 4 on April 30 - exactly a week before the May 7 election. In a letter to Mr Oliver, the broadcasters made clear they were ready to go ahead with the debates even if Mr Cameron decides not to take part - effectively 'empty-chairing' the Prime Minister. They wrote: 'We very much hope that all invited leaders will participate in the broadcast debates. 'However, in the end all we can do - as impartial public service broadcasters - is to provide a fair forum for debates to take place. It will always remain the decision of individual leaders whether or not to take part.' Mr Clegg called on the Prime Minister to join the debates in a message on Twitter: 'Come on, David Cameron, you haven't got your own way so accept it and take part.'