Band Aid rejects Damian Hirst cover

Cover art designed by controversial artist Damian Hirst for the new Band Aid single has not been used.

Instead, organisers have picked a collage of images including cartoon reindeers, polar bears and an emaciated African child.

Band Aid executive producer Midge Ure told XFM: "It's not really about the artwork. It doesn't really matter who's done it or who hasn't done it.

"Damien's thing was fantastic as a piece of art but as a record cover the Band Aid trustees didn't think it was right.

"It was very graphic, very in your face, just what you'd expect from Damien Hirst, but it's about what's inside the thing.

"The record, that's the important part. The cover doesn't really matter, throw the cover away, buying it is the important thing."

The single will be released in shops on Monday, November 29, on Mercury Records and The Band Aid Trust.

All proceeds go to The Band Aid Trust and will be targeted to help victims of famine in the Dafur region of Sudan.
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