On the eve of England’s opening World Cup fixture against Italy in Manaus, Rik Mayall’s failed football song Noble England is set to gatecrash the UK singles Top 10 chart after a campaign to get the song to No.1 following the actor’s death. Mayall died at the age of 56 on Monday.

Rik MayallRik Mayall died on Monday, aged 56

Mayall’s track failed to chart following its release the first time around, for the 2010 World Cup, but its been soaring up the iTunes chart in recent days. The campaign has been spearheaded by Jon Morter – the man responsible for securing Rage Against The Machine the Christmas No.1 spot in 2009, ahead of X-Factor winner Joe McElderry.

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Morter said: "It's a cruel irony that on the eve of the World Cup, we have lost him. It's now time for everyone to wake up to this fantastic song."

As of yesterday, Noble England was at No.38 on the chart but it has since reached No.11. It should receive a last surge in popularity in the build up to England’s game on Saturday night and, should England win, it could still beat Ella Henderson to No.1.

Rik Mayall BottomAde Edmonson [L] and Rik Mayall [R] in 'Bottom'

"Football chants are one of the great traditions of following football and Shakespeare is also part of our national heritage. It seemed only natural that they should go together," Mayall said of the single in 2010.

"I'm doing my bit, just like every other Englishman, as we stand shoulder-to-shoulder, doing our bit, stiff upper lip - apart from when you're screaming out the lyrics to 'Noble England'."

Rik Mayall’s official cause of death is yet to be determined though on Thursday his wife suggested he may have suffered a heart attack after returning from his morning run. 

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