Band Aid single on TV

The new Band Aid 20 video is being broadcast for the first time today - with pop queen Madonna expected to remind people "none of us can forget".

Do They Know It's Christmas? is due to hit the shops in less than a fortnight and tipped to be the seasonal Number One.

The single is also available to download from today, but bookmakers have shortened the odds on the track's long-term success following lukewarm reviews.

William Hill said the odds on Band Aid 20 remaining a Christmas Number One for between one and six weeks had shortened to 1-5.

Meanwhile, the single is also being launched as a charity ringtone with proceeds going to the Band Aid trust.

Orange said it was releasing the downloadable ringtone on Monday, a week before the single reaches the shops.

Mycokemusic.com said it was putting the track on its website today with all profits donated to charity.

Madonna, who performed at the American Live Aid gig in 1985, is thought to say on the video: "I performed at Live Aid.

"You saw me and my generation demanding a change. Once again, here we are and more people die of hunger in Africa than war and Aids put together.

"Bob Geldof and his friends are here to remind you that none of us can forget. Not ever. Feed the world. I am honoured to introduce Band Aid 20."

U2 frontman Bono has won the battle to belt out "And Tonight Thank God it's Them Instead of You" as he did two decades ago.

But Coldplay's Chris Martin, singers Dido and Robbie Williams have the opening lines of the song.

The Sugababes, Fran Healy from Travis, Justin Hawkins from The Darkness, Will Young, Jamelia and Ms Dynamite are also on board.

The video was being broadcast at 5.55pm simultaneously on BBC 1, BBC 2, ITV 1, Channel 4, Sky One and other channels.