Ed Sheeran fuming over Band Aid 40 as he says 'my approval wasn't sought'

Ed Sheeran's vocals appear on the Band Aid charity song Do They Know It's Christmas? as it is re-released for a 40th anniversary special edition.

Although Bob Geldof has defended that funds raised from the song have saved "hundreds of thousands, if not millions" of lives in Africa, and Ed appeared on the 2014 edition of the song, he says that his perspective on participating has now changed.

Detailing his U-turn in a new post on Instagram, he reiterated that if he'd been asked ahead of this year's release, he would have "respectfully declined" to be part of it. The latest version of the song blends voices from three previous recordings of it since its original 1984 edition.

These include One Direction, the late George Michael, U2's Bono and of course Ed - but the latter has now hit out at the "dehumanising" track, citing claims that it could harm Africa's image with stereotypes of poverty and even decimate its tourism industry. He attached an Instagram Stories slide from Ghanaian-English singer-songwriter Fuse ODG, where he'd revealed he'd turned down the opportunity to be on the track in 2014, the year that Ed first appeared.

He wrote: "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."

He added: "By showcasing dehumanising imagery, these initiatives fuel pity rather than partnership, discouraging meaningful engagement."

Fuse continued that his mission was to "reclaim the narrative" and position Africa as "a thriving hub for investment and tourism".

He concluded: "Today, the diaspora drives the largest flow of funds back into the continent, not Band Aid or foreign aid, proving that Africa's solution and progress lies in its own hands."

Attaching his perspective, Ed chimed in to confirm: "My approval was not 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 @fuseodg. This is just my personal stance, I'm hoping it's a forward looking one. Love to all x."

However, Bob Geldof has fought back in the face of criticism, exclaiming: "This little pop song has kept hundreds of thousands if not millions of people alive.

"Just today Band Aid has given hundreds of thousands of pounds to help those running from the mass slaughter in Sudan and enough cash to feed a further 8,000 children in the same affected areas of Ethiopia as 1984.

"Those exhausted women who weren't raped and killed and their panicked children and any male over 10 who survived the massacres and those 8,000 Tigrayan children will sleep safer, warmer and cared for tonight because of that miraculous little record. 'Colonial tropes', my a**e!"

The 2024 Ultimate Mix of the single is released on Monday November 25, featuring a star-studded line-up and a house band featuring Sir Paul McCartney, Sting, Phil Collins, and Thom Yorke.