Richie, Sebastian record duet for charity

Lionel Richie and Guy Sebastian have teamed up to raise money for victims of the Australian floods and the New Zealand earthquake.

Richie, who is due to tour Australia next month, said that he thought teaming up with an Aussie singer would be the most "meaningful" way to show that he cares.

The pair's rendition of Richie's 1983 hit 'All Night Long' is scheduled for release in Australia in the next few weeks.

He told The Daily Telegraph: "As an artist with 40 something years in the business, how do you do something meaningful for a country like Australia?

"What's happened this year with the floods and now with the earthquakes, it's horrific. The only time you can show you are appreciative to Australians is that when they get in trouble, I get a chance to do something.

"Instead of just coming to tour again this time, I want to help you for a minute, I'll take one of my biggest songs and give it to you. [The victims] don't need to feel any more sombre. This will make some money for relief charities but also make people feel good. If you've lost everything maybe it'll bring back a memory of better days.

"Every once in a while someone comes along and blows you away. Guy is on fire. He's got the vibe and the swagger. It feels natural for both of us. The two of us sound like we've been doing this for 40 years."