Well tonight thank god it's THIS...instead of Hirst's

BARMY artist Damien Hirst's cover for Band Aid 20 has been binnedbecause record bosses feared it would SCARE kids.

Pop stars arrived yesterday to re-record the charity classic Do They Know It's Christmas? which begins "It's Christmastime, there's no need to be afraid".

But record chiefs at Universal thought artist Damien's nightmarish sleeve might knock sales...and the amount of cash raised for starving people in Darfur, Sudan.

An insider said: "Hirst's version showed the Grim Reaper with an African child on his knee and a skull... scary stuff.

"Parents might not have wanted their kids to buy it and obviously the aim is to sell as many copies to raise as much money as possible."

Hirst—famous for pickling a shark in formaldehyde—usually flogs his artwork for millions but label bosses switched his cover for the cute reindeer scene above.

The official reason for the swap was that his two-sided design was too complicated to produce quickly. A spokesman added: "We regret not being able to use the artwork but we truly appreciate Damien's efforts."

Powerful

Work on re-recording the 1984 hit began at Air Studios, north London, yesterday, with Darkness star Justin Hawkins first to turn up.

It's not known which part he—and other stars Chris Martin, Travis, the Sugababes and Beverley Knight—will sing, but U2's Bono has warned them to keep their hands off his powerful line: "Tonight thank God it's them, instead of you".

Midge Ure, who masterminded the original eight-million-selling single with Sir Bob Geldof, also turned up to supervise the recording session.

Everything was going to plan until Midge discovered he had forgotten a vital tape and had to dash home for it.

And Rapper Dizzee Rascal almost missed his cue after flying in late from Holland.

The single is set to be finished today and will get its first play on radio tomorrow morning.

But it is STILL not known if pop princess Kylie Minogue will sing on the track. Her people say she hasn't yet been asked.

However, at least Band Aid 20 has got a proper cover now, so it won't be a Christ-miss.