Stars gather to record Band Aid single with new lyrics

Some of the biggest names in pop music have joined forces to record a new Band Aid song.

The all-star crew, including Bono, Ed Sheeran and One Direction, added their voices to a reworked version of Do They Know It’s Christmas? at Sarm Studios in London’s Notting Hill today.

The new recording details of which were exclusively revealed by The Sunday Post marks the 30th anniversary of the song. It is expected to raise millions to ease Africa’s Ebola crisis.

As the singers arrived at the studios, Bob Geldof revealed George Osborne had called him to say he would waive VAT on the single. The move means 100% of the money raised by the song will go to charity.

Geldof said: “I spoke to the Chancellor about five minutes ago and he agreed to forgo the VAT on the record. The next stage is to turn this into a phenomenon like it was in the ’80s, and the only way to do that is to get people to buy the thing.”

And Geldof revealed that, while many of the pop stars taking part were bleary-eyed at such an early start, they were all “excited”.

Asked what the atmosphere was like inside the recording studio, he said: “It very much reminds me of 30 years ago. Everyone is bleary pop singers, as George Osborne said, are not very good in the morning.”

Scots singer Emeli Sande said Geldof made a moving speech before they recorded the chorus.

“Bob gave a really touching speech so I think that got everybody in the mindframe that we needed to be in to remind us it’s fun but we’re here for a really serious reason.”

Sam Smith, Coldplay’s Chris Martin and Sinead O’Connor are among those on the single, which was written by Geldof and Midge Ure.

Other artists include Elbow, Seal and Bono.

The U2 frontman, who also sang on the original recording, yesterday took a dig at rich countries which fail to honour aid pledges.

He said: “We’ve been trying to make this kind of event a thing of the past we want to make Band Aid history. If every country had the values of Great Britain and kept the promises they make we wouldn’t have to be standing here.”

Chancellor George Osborne added: “I spoke to Bob Geldof and I confirmed that we would waive VAT on the single.”