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Band Aid is number one in Radio 1 charts with Do They Know It's Christmas featuring One Direction and Ed Sheeran

Band Aid has made it to number one in the charts.

The charity remake of Do They Know It's Christmas, organised by Faversham's Bob Geldof, has gone straight in at the top spot.

Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills, sitting in for Jameela Jamil, announced the news shortly before 7pm.

Midge Ure and Bob Geldof during press conference
Midge Ure and Bob Geldof during press conference

The track, which has drawn some contention, has already raised millions for the Ebola crisis in West Africa.

The hit was originally released in 1984, selling more than 3 million copies and raising more than £8 million for the famine crisis in Ethiopia.

Bob spoke to Scott on tonight's show from France where they are creating a French version of the Band Aid track.

He said: "After it played on Grimmy and Chris Evans radio shows, I think we had 280,000 downloads in ten minutes.

"It has smashed any record in the last ten years and not are we only number one in U.K, which is incredible, but we are number one in 61 countries."

Sir Bob said he expected it to be number one but didn't "expect it in such vast and willing numbers".

He said it was "absolutely amazing" and he was "so proud".

Sir Bob Geldof
Sir Bob Geldof

The physical C.D. with artwork from Tracey Emin will be available from December 8 but the single is available to download now for 99p.

In 1984 it was £3.50.

Bob said: "We need to spend 300% more to even begin to make up the money.

"I need to ask people to keep downloading it. We need to do it four times to match 1984."

Sir Bob Geldof, who lives in Faversham
Sir Bob Geldof, who lives in Faversham

The Ebola outbreak has killed nearly 5,000 people across West African countries with Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone some of the worst hit.

Bob said during a press conference last week that he had received a call from the UN to say they still need a 20% increase in assistance across the board.

Louis Tomlinson from One Direction has offered his support
Louis Tomlinson from One Direction has offered his support

He said: "This is a particularly pernicious illness because it renders humans untouchable and that is sickening.

"Mothers can't comfort their children in their dying hours.

"Lovers can’t cradle each other and wives can't hold their husbands' hand."

The track features artists such as One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay's Chris Martin, Emile Sande, Bono from U2 and Paloma Faith.


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