The track - recorded by a host of top artists including Rod Stewart, Alexandra Burke and Susan Boyle, and helmed by ‘X Factor’ mogul Simon Cowell - has become one of the biggest selling songs of the last decade already by the time it hit the top spot yesterday (14.02.10), raising a large amount of money for aid relief in the earthquake stricken state.

Alexandra Burke – who flew to Haiti to help the aid effort – said: “It’s fantastic the single is at number one and that helping Haiti is on everyone’s agenda.

“I’ve seen where this money will go and that it will really make a difference and help those who need it.

“Thank you to everyone who has bought this single.”

‘Happy’ singer Leona Lewis said that the single, a cover of R.E.M. song ‘Everybody Hurts’, selling so many copies – 453,000 according to official chart figures – was a great achievement, but encouraged people not to stop buying and downloading it.

She said: “I’m so pleased that so many people are supporting this record.

“There are still so many in Haiti that need our help so please keep giving.”

All money raised from the single will go directly to helping victims of the earthquakes, after the British government waived VAT on the single and REM said they wouldn’t collect writing royalties on the song.

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The pop star has signed up to sing on the music mogul’s star-studded cover version of the REM track ‘Everybody Hurts’, which will be the first time he has appeared on a record with his former bandmates in 15 years.

Robbie, 35, said: “I’m very honoured to be asked to contribute to the single. We can all do something to help the people of Haiti - and I urge everyone to do what they can.”

The ‘Bodies’ singer quit the group - consisting of Gary Barlow, Jason Orange, Howard Donald and Mark Owen - in 1995.

Take That and Robbie are due to record their vocals in Los Angeles today (26.01.10), but it is not known whether they will be in the recording studio at the same time or if their voices will be added separately.

Producer John Shanks – who is behind the band’s last two albums – is recording their efforts in the US, while fellow Take That producer Steve Robson is overseeing the track at London’s Sarm studios.

The single - which aims to raise relief funds for the Caribbean island following their devastating earthquakes - will also see Robbie reunite with pop star Kylie Minogue, who Simon invited to appear on the track.

Robbie recorded the hit single ‘Kids’ with Kylie in 2000.

A source said: “Simon’s delighted. Kylie’s shown a real depth of understanding of what the single is all about. She’s one of the biggest stars to say yes so far. It’s a real coup.”

So far, Leona Lewis, British boy band JLS, James Blunt, Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole and Joe McElderry have already recorded their parts.

Mariah Carey, ‘Hannah Montana’ star Miley Cyrus and Rod Stewart are also participating, alongside Susan Boyle, Canadian star Michael Buble, James Morrison and Mika.

The music mogul announced yesterday (11.01.10) he is quitting his judging position on ‘American Idol’ and has sealed a $160 million deal to launch a US version of his UK TV talent contest ‘The X Factor’, with Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole tipped to join him on the judging panel.

Announcing his plans at a TV Critics Association event in Pasadena, California, he said: “I’m thrilled and excited about this. ‘X Factor’ will launch in 2011, with me judging and producing the show.”

The 50-year-old star - who revealed he’d been “offered a lot of money” to stay on ‘American Idol’ the most watched show in the US – is now looking for “the American Susan Boyle”.

A TV insider said: “The American show will just take the British ‘X Factor’ formula and give it a few tweaks. We can expect it to be even glitzier than the British version. And the auditions should be a scream! Every singer in the US will want to be part of this show.”

Paula Abdul, who quit as an ‘American Idol’ judge last year, is also rumoured to be joining the new ‘X Factor’.

Louis Walsh – who stars on the British version of ‘X Factor’ alongside the music mogul and Cheryl– is convinced Simon’s new venture will be a roaring success.

He said: “I am sure it will be massive. He knows TV better than anyone else and he has an instinct for what people want to watch. I am sure it will be a big hit.”

The music mogul spent time with hip-hop star Dappy – real name Dino Contostavlos - in Barbados over Christmas and the New Year and has offered to help the ‘I Need You’ hitmakers become a success overseas.

A source told The Sun newspaper: “Dappy has been partying with Simon, who has been turning on the charm with him. N-Dubz have their sights set on America and Simon has made it clear that he could make it happen for them over there.”

However, Dappy has reportedly left their manager Jonathan Shalit reeling at the thought he and his bandmates Tulisa and Fazer might be tempted to leave him and join Simon’s record label Syco.

Shalit has been further angered by the fact he financed the 22-year-old singer’s lavish trip abroad with his girlfriend.

The source added: “Shalit is livid. He paid for Dappy and his girlfriend Kaye to go away for Christmas and New Year. He didn’t expect his golden goose to be tempted elsewhere.”

The rapper issued a come and get me plea to Simon last week to be a judge on UK TV talent show ‘The X Factor’ and now the music mogul says he would be delighted to welcome Eminem onto the panel.

Simon said: “It would be great to have him on as a guest judge.

“Em – I can call him that because we are on first name terms – the job is yours.”

However, Simon insisted he won’t alter the line-up and drop any of the current judges - Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole, Australian singer Dannii Minogue, the sister of Kylie Minogue, and music manager Louis Walsh – to make room for the ‘We Made You’ star.

He added: “I’m not getting rid of anyone.”

Eminem, 37, said last week he doesn’t think the current panellists have been successful enough to help the acts.

He said: “No disrespect to the current judges but you need people who are global, platinum-selling stars. You need to prepare contestants for what it’s really like out there, and what sort of pressure you are going to be under.

“So much average talent comes out of these reality shows. A hip-hop star will never win a show like the ‘X Factor’ without somebody like me on the panel. It needs somebody in power to open a door for them.”