Bob Geldof defends Band Aid 40

Bob Geldof has brushed off Ed Sheeran's criticism of the new Band Aid 40 release and pledged to continue to help the poorest people in Africa.

The 73-year-old singer is releasing a new version of 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' — which he co-wrote with Midge Ure in 1984 to raise awareness and funds for famine in Ethiopia — which features vocals from past versions of the track, but the 'Shape of You' hitmaker later revealed he hadn't been asked for permission to use his 2014 recording and would have said no if he had been asked because of concerns the track spreads misconceptions about Africa.

But Bob has dismissed Ed's concerns, insisting the money raised by Band Aid has provided valuable support to the most poor.

He told the Sunday Times Culture magazine: “This little pop song has kept millions of people alive. Why would Band Aid scrap feeding thousands of children dependent on us for a meal?

“Why not keep doing that? Because of an abstract wealthy-world argument, regardless of its legitimacy? No abstract theory regardless of how sincerely held should impede or distract from that hideous, concrete real-world reality. There are 600 million hungry people in the world — 300 million are in Africa. We wish it were other but it is not. We can help some of them. That’s what we will continue to do.”

The Boomtown Rats frontman is realistic about the chances of the '2024 Ultimate Mix' being as successful as the original.

He said: “For us to top the charts we sold 620,000 copies. Will this new version make anything like that one? No, because there are no f****** record shops. If we have 620,000 hits on Spotify, what will that make? Literally a quid?”

Earlier this month, Ed explained why he was uncomfortable with the remix by re-sharing a post by Ghanaian-English star Fuse ODG.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fuse ODG (@fuseodg)

He posted to his Instagram Story: “My approval wasn’t sought on this new Band Aid 40 release and had I had the choice I would have respectfully declined the use of my vocals.

“A decade on and my understanding of the narrative associated with this has changed, eloquently explained by [Fuse ODG].

“This is just my personal stance. I’m hoping it’s a forward-looking one. Love to all.”

Rapper Fuse refused to join the 2014 supergroup - which also included the likes of One Direction, Sam Smith and Ellie Goulding, and original contributor Bono - and accused the song of "costing the continent trillions" by stifling its "economic growth, tourism and investment" with its "dehumanising imagery".

Fuse's post read: “We Know It’s Christmas.

"Ten years ago, I refused to participate in Band Aid because I recognised the harm initiatives like it inflict on Africa.

“While they may generate sympathy and donations, they perpetuate damaging stereotypes that stifle Africa’s economic growth, tourism and investment, ultimately costing the continent trillions and destroying its dignity, pride and identity.

“By showcasing dehumanising imagery, these initiatives fuel pity rather than partnership discouraging meaningful engagement.

"My mission has been to reclaim the narrative, empowering Africans to tell their own stories, redefine their identity, and reposition Africa as a thriving hub for investment and tourism.

“Today, the diaspora drives the largest flow of funds back into the continent, not Band Aid or foreign aid proving that Africa’s solutions and progress lies in its own hands.”