Rik Mayall scores Top 10 hit with ‘lost’ World Cup song, Noble England

Noble England is booted into the Top 10 as fans pay tribute to British comedy legend Rik Mayall.

‘Once more onto the pitch dear friends, Once more to raise up these walls with our English cheer!’

As fans pay tribute to Rik Mayall, who sadly passed away on Monday (June 9), his ‘lost’ Word Cup song, Noble England, has shot straight into the Top 10 of the UK’s Official Singles Chart.

The track, which was originally recorded for the 2010 World Cup, failed to chart the first time around. However, thanks to a social media campaign set up in his memory by Jon Morter - the man behind Rage Against The Machine’s victory over then X Factor winner Joe McElderry in the 2009 Christmas Number 1 race - Noble England makes its Top 10 debut today at Number 7.

According to the late star, Noble England combines three of England’s great traditions: football, Shakespeare and, of course, himself.

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

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

Rik, who was only 56 when he died, is no stranger to chart success. As part of the Young Ones, he teamed up with Sir Cliff Richard and re-recorded the chart legend’s 1959 Number 1 hit, Living Doll, in aid of Comic Relief. The new version spent three weeks at Number 1 in the UK 1986.

He will be sorely missed.