They may have survived tough auditions and wowed a crowd of thousands at the Royal Albert Hall, but 40 amateur singers from an Oxford estate face their toughest match to date England's World Cup campaign.

For five months, television cameras followed the lives of singers chosen from Blackbird Leys for the fly-on-the-wall documentary Ivor's Choir.

Television bosses yesterday revealed the four-part series showing the choir's journey from Blackbird Leys Community Centre to the Royal Albert Hall will be battling for the nation's viewing attention against England's players in the World Cup.

Producers say the documentary is a 'richly rewarding' experience. The first episode of Ivor's Choir has been scheduled on Channel Five at 8pm on Sunday, June 11, 24 hours after David Beckham leads England in their first match against Paraguay.

The third episode of the series could also clash with England's second round knockout match on Sunday, June 25, and will face more competition from rival reality television phenomenon Big Brother 7 which runs throughout the next three months.

Kim Peat, Five's controller of arts, daytime and religion, said: "Five is all about giving viewers choice so if viewers are uninspired by other channels' offerings they will find Ivor's Choir a richly rewarding and heart-warming experience."

The hour-long Ivor's Choir will run for four consecutive Sundays in primetime 8pm family viewing slot, ahead of the 9pm watershed.

The show will feature the tears and tantrums while celebrating the hard work and dedication of the choir culminating with the ultimate goal as the group perform to thousands at the Royal Albert Hall.

Blackbird Leys will feature heavily in the show as film cameras followed the auditions at the community centre, and filmed across the estate, in some of the singers' homes and at a concert attended by 250 guests at Blackbird Leys Park.

Almost 200 candidates auditioned at the community centre in January but only 40 were lucky enough to make the choir chosen by conductor Ivor Setterfield.

The choir has already seen off one group of football fans by appearing before an Oxford United home match at the Kassam Stadium.