Chris Martin To Appear On 'Band Aid 20'

Rumours of a Band Aid III 'Do They Know It's Christmas' were confirmed today. The collective ensemble will go under the name of Band Aid 20, as it's 20 years since the original was released, which was written by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure.

It will be available from Monday 29th November on Mercury records, with all proceeds from the single helping victims of the famine in the Darfur region of Sudan via The Band Aid Trust.

The track will be recorded at Air Studios in London on Sunday 14 November and be produced by Nigel Godrich, best known for his work with Radiohead.

Already confirmed to appear on the track alongside Chris are:

Midge Ure, Robbie Williams, Justin Hawkins, Dido, Fran Healy (Travis), Beverley Knight, Jamelia, The Sugababes, and Skye Edwards (Morcheeba) Danny Goffey (Supergrass). Further names will be announced shortly as they are confirmed, although Tom from Keane told me that he was also contributing.

Controversial British contemporary artist Damien Hirst will design the sleeve artwork.

The single is also being lined up as one of the biggest internet download singles ever with further details to follow, together with details of the b-side. Manufacturing plants are gearing up for one of the quickest turnarounds from record date to onsale street date.

It will be released on one format only on CD and will retail at £3.99.