Dolly Parton dies after ‘brief battle with cancer,’ her team confirms as funeral details revealed

Dolly Parton dies after ‘brief battle with cancer,’ her team confirms as funeral details revealed The music world is united in grief after it was announced that Dolly Parton - widely regarded as one of the greatest singer-songwriters in country music - has died. Dolly Parton died after being diagnosed with cancer, her team has confirmed. Tributes are tonight being paid to Dolly Parton, who has died at the age of 80. The death of the singer, behind hits including Jolene and I Will Always Love You, was revealed by her nephew, Bryan Seaver. Appearing in a video he said: "Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians, and dreamers from every walk of life and across every continent. By her example, we believed that anything was possible. She never saw a door she couldn’t open, and the doors she opened made and changed history." Dolly's team said tonight that at her request "a small, private service will be held for immediate family" and that fans could make donations to her charitable Imagination Library in her memory. President Donald Trump has ordered flags to be lowered across the US in her memory saying: "There has never been anyone like her, and never will." Key Events Taylor Swift has become the latest artist to pay tribute to Dolly Parton. In a statement to People, the pop singger said: "A world without Dolly doesn’t feel possible, real, or right. But because of the eternally generous way she spent her time on this earth and the countless lives she changed for the better, her legacy will be an everlasting one." “Dolly gave us someone to look up to while encouraging us to be who we are as individuals. She managed to give the world the ultimate mystery and fantasy in some corners of her life, but to give full transparency in the ways that counted. Somehow she was true grace and true grit, all in one dazzling person. She possessed the softest heart when it came to the struggles of others, and a backbone of steel to defend her own self worth as an artist." Taylor added: "Along with her other fans, I am so grateful for all of it. For the melodies and lyrics she wrote that thawed even the coldest hearts. For the millions of books she provided children all over the world so that they might fall in love with stories the way she did. For the tightropes she walked so that young girls like me could grow up dreaming of joining the circus too. Dolly, I’ll think of you each step of the way." Dolly Parton brought her star quality to both the stage and silver screen, sharing the spotlight with Hollywood stars including Jane Fonda, Burt Reynolds and Queen Latifah. Tributes have been pouring in from fans, artists across the music industry and actors and directors who have previously worked with Dolly on set. Here we take a look at Dolly Parton's most iconic film and TV roles from 9 to 5 to Hannah Montana... Read the full story here. Singer Beyonce has described Dolly Parton as the "barometer" and the "north star" for the music industry. In a statement on her website, Beyonce says she is grateful for Dolly's "art, heart, generosity, humour and entrepreneurship", adding that she was "honoured" to work with the country icon. The two worked on Beyonce's Cowboy Carter album, where they recorded a reworked cover of Jolene. It also featured two cameos from Parton. Beyonce concluded her tribute by calling Dolly an "angel who has made this world a happier place because of your joyful art" and "truly one of one". Karla Tracey, who plays Parton’s character Doralee, broke the news to the audience at the Pavilion Theatre in Worthing, West Sussex before paying tribute to the singer. “Tonight, we will perform the piece as she intended with great respect and affection for the woman whose vision brought it to life,” Tracey said. “As we begin, we dedicate tonight’s performance to Dolly Parton, with our deepest thanks for the music, laughter and joy she gave us.” Paul Jepson, Landmark Theatres chief executive and the musical’s director, said: “We would like to take a moment to remember the remarkable Dolly Parton. “Our thoughts are with Dolly’s family, friends and all those around the world who loved and admired her. “It has been an honour for all of us to work on this show, originally written and produced by Dolly, whose extraordinary talent, creativity and spirit are woven into every part.” The country music legend grew up as one of 12 children of Robert Lee (who went by Lee) and Avie Lee Parton in the Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Over the years, Dolly found ways to pay tribute to her parents, Lee and Avie Lee, who died in 2000 and 2003, respectively. In fact, Lee inspired Dolly’s nonprofit Imagination Library, which has given more than 200 million books to children all over the world. Read the full story here. Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, the international book gifting program for children from birth to age five, has shared a touching tribute following Dolly's death. Dolly Parton's legacy extends far beyond music and entertainment. When the Coronavirus pandemic swept around the world in 2020, she created the Dolly Parton Covid-19 Research Fund at Vanderbilt University, in her home state of Tennessee, which provided seed money for research that led to the Moderna vaccine against the disease. Read the full story here. The Mirror contacted representative for Dolly Parton this morning, who confirmed the singer faced "a brief battle with cancer" before her tragic death. Read the full story here. Country singer Billy Ray Cyrus has also joined in the tributes to Dolly, saying she was "a part of our lives, on our TVs, right in our living rooms". TV presenter Oprah Winfrey said one of her fondest memories with Dolly Parton was “having a hoot and a holler while wearing Bob Mackie gowns on her show Dolly.”She added: “No one like her. She brought the light, and we are all better because she was here.” The singer said in a post on Instagram: “I will cherish our laughter and conversations and I will keep your wisdom, your playful outlook on life, and perfect sense of humor in my pocket for the rainy days.“There will never be another you and how lucky are we all to have experienced your singular magic as well as your once in a lifetime voice, songs, and heart.“Your light will be something the world will search forever to find again. I will always love you.” Thousands want Nashville's airport renamed in honor of Dolly Parton's legacy. Over 50,000 people have already signed the petition. Find out more by clicking here. The Muppets' official Instagram page also paid tribute: "There will never be another quite like Dolly Parton. "She was the ultimate singer, songwriter, actress, performer, and philanthropist. "She filled the world with light and we are so grateful for every second we got to spend with her onstage and off." Just weeks before her tragic detah Dolly promoted her new museum in her ‘Song Teller Hotel’ in Nashville. The 20,000 square foot museum, located on the third floor of the "SongTeller Hotel," includes immersive exhibits, behind-the-scenes artifacts, multimedia installations, and personal stories told through Dolly’s own perspective. No official opening date has yet been confirmed but you can pre-order tickets now.