Where original Band Aid stars are now – Christmas Day death, jail and child overdose

Band Aid’s ‘Do They Know It’s Christmas?’ is ingrained in the hearts of many, but particularly for the stars who took part in the hit charity single.

It was a great cause for the stars to get behind, and some of the most famous singers of the ’80s decided to feature on the track, including the likes of George Michael, Boy George and Sting.

While they were all big names in the music industry, their lives have certainly changed since their debut on the hit track.

For some, they’re still hitting the stage, but for others, their lives have faced more tragedy or controversy in the years which followed.

A large group of people were involved in the original Band Aid in 1984, and as the Christmas track proudly stands back in the homes of many, Daily Star has looked at where some of the original members of the group are now.

George Michael

In a devastating Christmas tragedy, former Wham! singer George Michael died on December 25, 2016 at just 53-years-old.

His partner Fadi Fawaz found him in bed at his home in the early hours of Christmas morning.

George’s death was ruled as natural causes, with heart and liver problems later being found.

The post-mortem found that he had dilated cardiomyopathy with myocarditis (where the heart becomes inflamed) and fatty liver, which can progress to advanced liver disease.

Prior to his tragic and untimely death, George had an incredibly successful career and continued to tour prior to his death.

After his involvement with Band Aid, the star remained committed to contributing to charity and donated often.

Bob Geldof

Bob Geldof hasn’t had the easiest life, but he did put the launch of Band Aid on a high list of his priorities in the ’80s.

After the success of the charity single, Geldof and Midge Ure organised Live Aid, a benefit concert in a bid to raise even more funds to help with the Ethiopian famine crisis, which was once again a huge success.

In 2000, Bob’s ex wife Paula died of a heroin overdose, on his daughter Pixie’s 10th birthday – a tragedy that later reappeared in the family through their daughter, Peaches.

At the time of Peaches’ death, she was just 25-years-old, leaving behind two children and her widower, Thomas.

Phil Collins

Concerns have been rising around Phil Collins for quite some time following reports of ill health, but the star remains playing in public and taking part in shows.

The 70-year-old has made a successful career and his success has trickled down to his family, with daughter Lily Collins landing roles in multiple box office success movies.

Phil has been divorced three times in his life, with his final marriage lasting from 1999 to 2008 before he and Orianne Cevey called time on their relationship.

The star originally announced his retirement in 2010, but shortly after that he fell into a downwards spiral with alcohol addiction.

He told Daily Mail years later: “I used to get up and I’d start drinking and watch the cricket. Red wine, white wine.”

“Before you know it, within months, you’re drinking vodka from the fridge in the morning and falling over in front of the kids, you know.”

Boy George

Boy George was an incredibly popular musician, but he faced controversy in 2009 after he was sentenced to 15 months in prison after he was found guilty of imprisoning a male escort.

He served just four months in prison after securing an early release for good behaviour and said the experience was “life changing”.

The rest of his sentence was served under curfew and he was required to wear an ankle monitor for the rest of the following 11 months.

Years before, in 2006, police found cocaine in his New York home and he was forced to do community service.

He told Reader’s Digest at the time: “I have always had a mistake in me, but that’s OK. As far as the troubles I had back in 2006 and 2009, of course they are things I’m not proud of.”

As of 2021, Boy George remains a performer, appearing on stage and issuing concert tickets for 2021 and 2022.

Midge Ure

Midge launched Band Aid along with Bob Geldof as they released the hit charity single in 1984, and he went on to have a successful career following the stint.

In his book, Midge also opened up about his history with alcoholism, confessing: “I got close to being kicked out of our home. It must have been boring for Sheridan to have me staggering around at 2am trying to get into bed.

“It caused a rift and she asked me to stop. I did but started again – I abused her trust and couldn’t see that I was in danger of losing my family and my life.”

He now happily lives with his second wife Sheridan Forbes and in 2007 he appeared on Celebrity Masterchef alongside Nadia Sawalha and Craige Revel Horwood.

Paul McCartney

After The Beatles split, Paul carved out his own solo career and eventually opted to take part in the Band Aid track in 1984.

In the years that followed, he has remained successful within his solo career.

However, in 1998, tragedy struck as Paul lost his beloved wife Linda McCartney on April 17 after a battle with breast cancer, the same disease that took his mum years prior.

Years later, Paul married model Heather Mills, which reportedly welcomed tension from his daughter Stella McCartney.

After six years of marriage, the pair divorced.

David Bowie

David Bowie became a sensational aspect of the music industry and even today is regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.

Bowie, and his alter ego Ziggy Stardust, toured extensively in 1972 and 1973, with Bowie donning a glowing red hairdo and singing tracks such a Starman, but at the height of their success, Bowie put a stop to the shows.

Shortly after, Bowie was hit with tonnes of controversy including accusations of cultural appropriation, quoting supposed benefits of fascism and an image which appeared to show him making a Nazi salute from a car.

However, it has since been reported that he denounced the statements and put it down to drug use.

Years after his controversy, Bowie remained an all-important figure in the music industry, so the world was left devastated when he died on January 10, 2016, following a secret battle with liver cancer.

For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.

Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk