Rik Mayall’s ‘lost’ World Cup anthem heading for the Top 40!

Rik Mayall's World Cup anthem heading for the Top 40 as fans pay tribute to the late Young Ones star.

Rik Mayall’s ‘lost’ World Cup anthem, Noble England, looks set to enter the Official Singles Chart Top 40 this weekend, the Official Charts Company can confirm.

Comedian and actor Rik Mayall, much-loved for his roles in The Young Ones, Bottom and Blackadder, sadly passed away at his home in Barnes, London on Monday (June 9). He was just 56 years old.

A social media campaign has been set up in his memory by Jon Morter, the man behind Rage Against The Machine’s infamous victory over then X Factor winner Joe McElderry in the 2009 Christmas Number 1, as a tribute to the late star.

Noble England, which was originally recorded for the 2010 World Cup, failed to chart the first time around. However, according to the Official Charts Company’s latest sales data, the track has already broken the midweek Top 40, currently sitting at Number 38 after the campaign went live just 24 hours ago. It is expected to shoot up as the week continues.

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

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

Currently, England do not have an official World Cup 2014 anthem, after the Football Association decided against releasing a new rendition of Take That’s Greatest Day featuring Gary Barlow and Michael Owen.

Rik is no stranger to chart success; as part of the Young Ones, he teamed up with Sir Cliff Richard for a re-recorded version of the chart legend’s 1959 chart-topping hit, Living Doll, in aid of Comic Relief. It spent three weeks at Number 1 in 1986.

Sir Cliff is among many stars who have paid tribute to Rik this week:

“I am so sad at his parting,” he said. "I became a fan of his when he was in The Young Ones show and was always thrilled when he used my name during his series."