Sir Bob Geldof has banned Madonna from Band Aid III, because she is American.

Madonna had apparently hoped to record 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' alongside the likes of Noel Gallagher, Robbie Williams, Coldplay and The Darkness.

Midge Ure, who wrote the song alongside Geldof, told The People, "As Bob says, at the end of the day she's a Yank. We don't need her."

The track is expected to reach the Christmas number one spot.