Susanna Reid Bursts Into Laughter as Band Aid Debate Heats Up on Good Morning Britain
Good Morning Britain host Susanna Reid couldn’t hold back her laughter during Tuesday’s episode as the panel discussed Ed Sheeran’s recent stance on the re-release of Band Aid’s iconic charity single.
The discussion turned lively when Richard Madeley quoted Bob Geldof’s fiery defense of the track, paraphrasing his controversial statement. “He’s been very trenchant,” Richard said, adding with a grin, “We can’t repeat them, but he basically said, ‘if this is patronizing colonial my backside.’ Except he didn’t say backside—it rhymes with farts”, reported by Manchester Evening News.
Susanna was instantly amused, quipping, “I’m not sure we avoided the Ofcom ruling on that one!” The pair then previewed an upcoming debate about whether Band Aid’s legacy should retire, with Susanna mentioning Sheeran’s acknowledgment of the song’s evolving narrative.
She shared Sheeran’s comments, explaining that he had highlighted a message from musician Fuse ODG, who said, “Band Aid perpetuates damaging stereotypes.” Fuse ODG was scheduled to join the show later to discuss his views on the song’s impact and relevance.
The original 1984 Band Aid single, Do They Know It’s Christmas?, featured a host of music legends, including Phil Collins, Boy George, David Bowie, and George Michael. It was created to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia and has since been remade twice, in 2004 and 2014, reported by the Mirror. With the 40th anniversary approaching, a new version of the track has been planned, incorporating vocals from previous editions.
Sheeran, who participated in the 2014 recording, revealed on social media that his approval wasn’t sought for the upcoming release. “Had I had the choice, I would have respectfully declined the use of my vocals,” he wrote. He credited Fuse ODG for reshaping his understanding of the song’s narrative, adding, “This is just my personal stance. I’m hoping it’s a forward-looking one.”
Meanwhile, Bob Geldof hit back at critics, passionately defending the song’s impact over the decades. Speaking to the BBC, Geldof said, “This little pop song has kept hundreds of thousands if not millions of people alive.”
He cited Band Aid’s continued contributions, sharing that just recently, the charity provided hundreds of thousands of pounds to support refugees from Sudan and aid for 8,000 children in Ethiopia. Dismissing accusations of colonialism, Geldof remarked, “We wish that it were other, but it isn’t. ‘Colonial tropes,’ my a**e.”
The heated debate continues to spark conversation about the legacy of Band Aid and its role in addressing global crises.