Nottingham's LadBaby have become the first act in history to release a rework of Band Aid's historic 1984 hit Do They Know it's Christmas? Social media star Mark Hoyle and his wife Roxanne - known as LadBaby Mum - have teamed up with MoneySavingExpert’s Martin Lewis to rework the song which they've called Food Aid.
The couple, who live in West Bridgford, have become the first ever act allowed to rework the hit Band Aid song, which in its original form was organised by Bob Geldof and featured contributions from the likes of Boy George, George Michael and Bono. The record went to No. 1 straight away in the UK singles chart and sold a million copies in its first week, raising millions for famine relief in Ethiopia.
Married couple Mark and Roxanne teamed up with Grammy winner Amy Wadge, who has previously worked with Ed Sheeran and Sam Ryder, to rewrite the festive song. The Hoyles have raised more than £1.2 million for the Trussell Trust through their chart-topping endeavours and branded partnerships, but said they are committed to doing even more as the cost-of-living crisis worsens.
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With the song released on Friday (December 16), 100 percent of the profits will be donated towards the fight against hunger and poverty. Half will go to the Trussell Trust foodbank network and 50 percent will be donated to the Band Aid Trust.
Last year, LadBaby made chart history by securing the Christmas number one for a fourth consecutive year, becoming the first musicians to do so in the 70 years of the Official Christmas Chart. They scored the top chart spot with novelty track Sausage Rolls For Everyone featuring global superstars Ed Sheeran and Sir Elton John.
If they get a fifth they will surpass The Beatles, who achieved four Christmas number ones in the 1960s. Mark and Rox said: “In a year when people are struggling more than ever we felt it was time to keep both the lyrics and the guest-stars authentic and real.
“It just didn’t feel right roping in lots of megastars to sing about a cost of living crisis. It’s been loads of fun to get everyone guessing who we’ve had on the song. We hope the real stars now get involved and get behind the track.
“But behind the hilarity, the reason for making the track is to raise as much money as we possibly can for the Trussell Trust and the Band Aid Trust. We have to do whatever it takes to build a future where all of us can afford to go to sleep with a full stomach.”
The track was rewritten with permission from Bob Geldof, Midge Ure and the Band Aid Trust. The music video unveils the Band Aid all-stars. Mark is seen ushering Rox into a music studio for the big reveal.
Instead of the huge celebrities, Mark instead presents Rox with a group of look-alikes including Stormzy, Will.Am, Boy George, Adele, Kylie, Robbie Williams, the Gallagher brothers, Paul McCartney and of course Ed and Elton. The video replicates the Band Aid video but with extra humour added in.
Martin Lewis says: “When Mark and Roxanne contacted me out-of-the-blue to ask if I’d join them in Food Aid I thought they’d confused me with someone else. The nearest I’ve ever got to thinking about a Christmas number one is going to the loo on Boxing Day after too much orange juice the day before.
"Yet once I knew they were serious, and it was for the Trussell Trust, a hugely important charity I’ve a history with, I decided to give it a go, and do it with gusto.”
“This has been a tough year for many, prices have rocketed. Advice charities and food banks are swamped. Deficit budgeting is becoming more common – meaning even after everything has been cut to the bone – people still have less income than expenditure. It’s going to be a tough winter, and things aren’t likely to ease much in 2023. So the need to help and support people struggling across the UK is profound. Hopefully this Ladbaby song and their lyrics will raise some cash and awareness.”
Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “We are so grateful to LadBaby for their incredible support for a fifth year running. Between April and September this year, food banks in the Trussell Trust network provided 1.3 million emergency food parcels to people facing hardship.
“Soaring food and fuel costs are affecting us all, but for families on the very lowest incomes this crisis means so much more and more people are likely to need a food bank’s help. Food bank teams are working tirelessly to ensure help continues to be available.
“But ultimately, no one in the UK should need a food bank – all of us should have enough money for the essentials like food, clothing and heating. The support of LadBaby and the Band Aid trust will help food banks within our network continue to provide the lifeline of emergency support for local people in crisis, while we work in the long term to end the need for food banks, for good. Thank you so much."
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