Bob Geldof has launched his own version of the Ice Bucket Challenge in order to promote his charity single, “Do They Know It’s Christmas”.

In a move that may be met with sighs from his critics, the Boomtown Rats frontman has recorded (weirdly enough, from a train) a video message kicking off his new campaigning strategy.

He sings Bono’s controversial, recently -amended, version from the track then asks “the creme de la creme of British acting” - Damien Lewis, Dominic West and Richard E. Grant to do the same. If they choose not to take heed his challenge within 24 hours, Geldof says they will each face a £100 forfeit.

“I’m doing this to help raise awareness this Christmas about the fight against the Ebola Virus,” he said.

“Find out more about the cause and make a donation, as I have, at bandaid30.com/donate or text AID to 70707 to give £10 (UK Only).”

Band Aid 30 critics Show all 5 1 /5 Band Aid 30 critics Band Aid 30 critics William Pooley The British nurse who contracted Ebola and returned to Sierra Leone to help fight the disease said the single was 'cringeworthy' and 'culturally ignorant' PA Band Aid 30 critics Emeli Sande The singer featured on the song, but later said the lyrics should be changed. She said she recorded he own edited lines but they were rejected from the final version Getty Band Aid 30 critics Lily Allen Lily Allen declined to take part, saying she would prefer to 'do my charitable bit by donating actual money' Getty Band Aid 30 critics Fuse ODG The British-Ghanaian rapper said the song did not reflect his 'positive vision' of Africa Getty Images Band Aid 30 critics Damon Albarn 'There are problems with our idea of charity, especially these things that suddenly balloon out of nothing and then create a media frenzy where some of that essential communication is lost and it starts to feel like it’s a process where if you give money you solve the problem, and really sometimes giving money creates another problem'

Those who think they could do a better job than Bono (many presumably) at singing “Tonight I’m reaching out and touching you” should record their rendition, nominate three friends to do the same. Each person is asked to donate £10 to the cause.

Those who reject the challenge are optimistically required to pay a £100 forfeit.

Bob Geldof recently told Band Aid critics to “f**k off” after Ebola nurse William Pooley said the single was “cringeworthy” and “culturally ignorant”.

The musician said Pooley, who survived Ebola and flew back to Sierra Leone to help fight the disease, needed to calm down.