Jaffa Cakes have been announced as a quarter-finalist in Comic Relief’s World Cup of Biscuits after a heated debate about whether the chocolate orange snack should be in the running.

Some 1.6 million votes have been cast to choose the nation’s favourite biscuit after Pointless star Richard Osman asked enthusiasts to make their voices heard on Twitter.

The top eight were whittled down from 32 and unveiled during the Red Nose Day fundraising campaign.

Jaffa Cakes will take on chocolate digestives in the quarter-finals, while chocolate Hobnobs will compete with plain Hobnobs, Jammie Dodgers will take on chocolate fingers and custard creams hope to beat bourbons.

Richard previously likened the debate over whether Jaffa Cakes are a cake or a biscuit to Brexit, and insisted he will defend them as the latter “against anybody”.

After comedian Romesh Ranganathan told Richard he considered Jaffa Cakes to be a cake, the Pointless star said: “I will just cut you a slice of Jaffa Cake shall I Romesh?”

The World Cup of Biscuits follows on from Richard’s similar campaigns for crisps and chocolate last year, and the results will be revealed later during Comic Relief’s live Red Nose Day telethon.

Red Nose Day viewers can donate on the night either online at bbc.co.uk/rednoseday or by phone using 03457 910 910 or through text. To donate £10 by text, text YES to 70210 and to donate £20 text YES to 70220.