Bob Geldof has hit back at critics of Band Aid 30, telling them to “relax”.

The Boomtown Rats singer, who is behind the chart-topping charity single in aid of the Ebola crisis, responded after criticism about the lyrics of the song.

He told the Daily Telegraph: “Please. It’s a pop song. Relax.”

“It’s a pop song, it’s not a doctoral thesis. They can f*** off,” he said.

One Direction, Ed Sheeran, Ellie Goulding, Olly Murs and Emeli Sande feature on the new version of Do They Know It’s Christmas?, which hit the top spot when it was released in November.

The new recording – which became the fastest selling single of the year – marks the 30th anniversary of the song, which was originally put together to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia.

Bob said his critics “were more than welcome to be offended” by him.

“I couldn’t give a toss. Seriously, I’m the wrong guy. The reality behind the pop song – Christmassy, corny, whatever you think about it – the reality behind it is stark,” he continued.

“If it’s a pop song that can help ease the pain, the agony, if they can die with a little more dignity then, yeah, I’m there.

“It’s pretty simple.”

A picture of Bob Geldof at the recording of Band Aid 30
Bob Geldof isn’t bothered by the criticism of Band Aid 30 (Jonathan Short/Invision/Press Association Images)

The latest criticism of the track came from William Pooley, a British nurse who survived the Ebola virus, who told the Radio Times it was culturally “ignorant” and “cringeworthy”.

Other critics of the track include Emeli, who said the lyrics should be changed, Lily Allen – who turned down the opportunity to join Band Aid 30 – and Kasabian.