Pre-orders of the new Band Aid single have been "manic" since its recording, according to organiser Bob Geldof.

One Direction, Bono, Sinéad O'Connor and Ed Sheeran are among the performers of the reworked version 'Do They Know It's Christmas'.

The new band aid single is aiming to raise money for the struggle to contain the Ebola virus.
Geldof overwhelmed by Band Aid response

The song was re-recorded on Saturday to raise money to tackle the crisis in West Africa.

The original words "Where the only water flowing is the bitter sting of tears" have been replaced with "Where a kiss of love can kill you and there’s death in every tear".

And the words "Well tonight thank God it’s them instead of you" have been changed to "Well tonight we’re reaching out and touching you".

The recording marks the 30th anniversary of the song, which was originally put together to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia.

The single was premiered on last night's X Factor, and Bob Geldof made a special appearance on the show to urge people to buy it and help the charity effort.

He said the song is "a little bit of pop history" but also delivered a powerful message about the urgent need to fight the deadly virus, which is estimated to have killed more than 5,000 people in West Africa.

Ebola created "mothers not able to touch their baby" and "husbands and wives not able to touch each other in the last moments," he added.

"This is the most inhuman disease out there, but we can stop it and we will stop it."

No live performance linked to the current Band Aid is planned but Bob Geldof said he was hoping the song will rise quickly in the charts.