A new mix, released next week, blends his vocals with those of Sting from the original 1984 version of the charity song. “My approval wasn’t sought on this new Band Aid 40 release," Sheeran said.

Ironically, when the Band Aid song was recorded during the 1983-85 famine, the nation was under a communist government that banned any religious festivals. So although Ethiopians very much knew it ...

At best, the song is "problematic"; at worst ... The 40th anniversary of Band Aid will bring with it a new opportunity to raise money for charity this Christmas. Over the past four decades ...

They then enlisted a host of other stars to record the song under the name of Band Aid. Released on 7 December 1984, the single became the UK's biggest selling single of the time and raised £8m.