Bob Geldof and Ed Sheeran agree to disagree over Band Aid ...

Watch: Bob Geldof welcomes Band Aid concerns from Ed Sheeran

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Bob Geldof has said he has spoken to Ed Sheeran about his concerns over Band Aid 40 and welcomes debate over the song as it keeps his fundraiser in the public eye.

Geldof and Midge Ure have released a fifth version of their charity single, Do They Know It's Christmas, to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1984 original which combines the vocals of the different artists who have taken part over the years. One of those artists was Sheeran, who said last week that he would not have taken part again if asked as his views on providing aid to Africa had changed.

Speaking to Lorraine, Geldof praised Sheeran and said they had spoken about his views, while he later joined This Morning with Ure to explain more about why they had no problems with controversy over their work.

What, how, and why?

Ed Sheeran hit headlines last week when he posted a statement on social media about the new Band Aid 40 release which features his 2014 vocals, saying that he would not have chosen to be included in the fundraiser again after speaking to Fuse ODG about the issues involved in providing aid to Africa.

But Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, who are behind Band Aid and are promoting its latest version, have said they are not at all offended by criticism of Do They Know It's Christmas as it keeps the song and fundraising efforts in the news.

Geldof told ITV's Lorraine on Tuesday that he had called Sheeran to talk through his concerns and praised the singer as "intelligent" even though they had disagreed.

Read more: Band Aid

Host Lorraine Kelly asked if criticism from artists including Sheeran had been "irksome" to him and he replied: "It's not, that's the honest truth. Part of me goes, come on (raising fists), but the other part, the necessity of this is that opinions change over years. Sentiment changes, sensibility changes, opinion changes over 40 years and that's correct, you can't stay static. You've got to find different ways of combating these issues and different ways of talking about them.

"None of these arguments would get any oxygen if Band Aid didn't come out. As part of all this, Ed says, this is the way I feel now. I've put in the call - he's a really lovely man, he's an intelligent guy, he's a major artist. We've had a chat and we'll either agree or disagree but we talk about it and the debate must be made. It means we can argue our point of view even more strongly, so that's where I'm at with this."

He added: "It's really simple for me. There's a hungry child, there's a meal...the moment you buy this record, you've interposed yourself between that meal and that hungry child. I swear to you that that money you've spent on that record will get to that meal and that child."

Later, he was joined by Ure on This Morning who echoed his views.

Ure said: "The fact that everyone has an opinion is great, we embrace that. The fact that people are talking about this, we embrace that. The dialogue is incredibly important...it doesn't matter which side you're on, all sides need to be covered.

"Africa standing on its own feet - absolutely, we get that, we totally agree with it...The fact that people are discussing this and there is a dialogue going on is brilliant, that's what it's meant to do. Our job, all the way through the initial years of Band Aid was to keep the cameras focussed...That's what it's all about, keep the media focussed and keep the world focussed on what the problems actually are.

"Africa has to stand on its own feet, and it is, but the people we're dealing with are the result of all the bad stuff."

What did Ed Sheeran say about Band Aid 40?

Sheeran featured on a 30th anniversary version of the song in 2014 and his vocals were re-used in the latest edition. He posted on his Instagram Story last week: “My approval wasn't sought on this new Band Aid 40 release and had I had the choice I would have respectfully declined the use of my vocals."

Citing a post by rapper Fuse ODG that criticised foreign aid in Africa, he said: "A decade on and my understanding of the narrative associated with this has changed, eloquently explained by @fuseodg. This is just my personal stance, I'm hoping it's a forward-looking one. Love to all x."

British-Ghanaian musician Fuse ODG had posted to say that he had turned down Band Aid 30 as he felt those sorts of fundraisers "perpetuate damaging stereotypes".

He wrote: "While they may generate sympathy and donations, they perpetuate damaging stereotypes that stifle Africa's economic growth, tourism, and investment, ultimately costing the continent trillions and destroying its dignity, pride and identity."

Lorraine airs on ITV1 at 9am on weekdays.