Alert – Bob Geldof plans to ‘have a talk’ with Ed Sheeran following his criticism of the new Band Aid 40 release as he insists ‘this little pop song has saved millions of lives’

Bob Geldof has revealed he plans to ‘have a talk’ with Ed Sheeran following his criticism of the new Band Aid 40 release.

The singer, 73, is spearheading 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. 

The new release features vocals from past versions of the track, however the Shape Of You hitmaker later revealed he hadn’t been asked for permission to use his 2014 recording. 

He confessed he would have said no if he had been asked due to concerns the track spreads misconceptions about Africa.

And now Bob has admitted that he has tried to get in touch with Ed to discuss the issue, but insisted he doesn’t harbour a grudge against the singer for his public criticism.

He told Billboard magazine: ‘We’ll have a talk. Let me be clear — he’s a really good bloke, and he’s a clever man. He’s a massive talent, so all respect.

Bob Geldof has revealed he plans to ‘have a talk’ with Ed Sheeran following his criticism of the new Band Aid 40 release as he insisted ‘this little pop song has saved millions of lives’

The Shape Of You hitmaker revealed he would have said no had be been asked for permission to use his 2014 recording due to concerns the track spreads misconceptions about Africa

‘I put in the call. We’ll have a chat. We’ll agree, we’ll disagree, whatever the f***. We’ll sort it out. That’s the way stuff gets done.’

The Boomtown Rats frontman insisted ‘this little pop song has saved millions of lives’ but welcomes the questions around the cause.

He said: ‘The debate rages around it. That’s fantastic, because then you can access the politics with the culture debate as sensitivities and sensibilities and opinions change and just absorb it all. I like that because I’m energised by it, and you just f****** go for it, man.’

Meanwhile Bob’s collaborator Midge blamed the controversy on ‘human nature’ but suggested he’s frustrated by the criticism Band Aid has faced over the years.

He said: ‘We’ve had 40 years of this. The amazing thing is we’re talking about this piece of music, this little pop song, 40 years later.

‘And it’s not an exclusive club; any musician can stand up and say, ‘Well (proceeds from) my next record are going to go to whatever and I will do with them what I see fit.’ Fine.

‘But in order to do that you don’t have to try to destroy something that has been nothing but good. And that’s what seems to happen. But for God’s sake, it’s a piece of music and it’s not made to be analysed.’

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

And now Bob has admitted that he has tried to get in touch with Ed to discuss the issue, but insisted he doesn’t harbour a grudge against the singer for his public criticism (pictured with Richard Curtis at the Beatles 64 screening on Thursday evening) 

He said: ‘I put in the call. We’ll have a chat. We’ll agree, we’ll disagree, whatever the f***. We’ll sort it out. That’s the way stuff gets done’ (pictured with his wife Jeanne Marine) 

Pictured: Sir Bob Geldof (second left), along with other artists recording the first ever Band Aid single, Do They Know It’s Christmas

Meanwhile Bob’s collaborator Midge Ure (pictured 2014) blamed the controversy on ‘human nature’ but suggested he’s frustrated by the criticism Band Aid has faced over the years

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 in part: ‘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.’

Meanwhile Ed was seen posing with Bridgerton star Claudia Jessie as he shared behind-the-scenes snaps from the set of the video for his new festive song, Under The Tree

Taking to his Instagram stories, Ed re-shared a message from Ghanaian-British musician Fuse ODG, who has been vocal in his criticism of the charity single claiming it ‘dehumanises Africans and destroys our pride and identity in the name of ‘charity’’

contacted Band Aid representatives for comment at the time. 

Meanwhile Ed was seen posing with Bridgerton star Claudia Jessie as he shared behind-the-scenes snaps from the set of the video for his new festive song, Under The Tree, which will go head to head with the new Band Aid song in the charts this Christmas. 

The singer took to Instagram on Tuesday give fans a glimpse of the making of the official video ahead of its release later that day, with several snaps seeing Ed larking around with the actress, 35, and director Richard Curtis, 68.

Ed’s original Christmas song is part of the soundtrack for upcoming Christmas film, That Christmas, which is co-written by Love Actually creator Richard – who went round to the singer’s house to personally ask him to write it.