Actress and singer Amber Davies has paid tribute to country music legend Dolly Parton following the icon's death at the age of 80 on Tuesday morning.
Davies, 29, met Parton while preparing for her role in the 2019 West End production of 9 to 5 the Musical, an experience she described as a highlight of her lifetime.
Parton passed away at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville after being admitted on Friday with autoimmune and kidney problems, according to TMZ. Her death was confirmed in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also served as her head of security.
The former Love Island star, who rose to fame on the ITV reality dating show before building a career in musical theatre, shared two black and white photographs of herself chatting with Parton behind the scenes at London's Savoy Theatre on the Strand.
"Dolly, you gave me my first YES. One of the very first to believe in me. This will always be a highlight of my lifetime," Davies wrote in her online tribute.
"The world will not be the same without you. From the entire world, Thank you @dollyparton," she added.
Tributes from the West End stage
In the 2019 West End production of 9 to 5 the Musical, Davies starred as Judy Bernly. The stage show was directly based on the iconic 1980 hit comedy film of the same name, which featured Parton alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
Fonda originally played the role of Judy Bernly in the movie, while Parton earned an Oscar nomination for her famous theme song. The story follows three office colleagues who team up against their tyrannical boss.
Davies recalled how much Parton's early confidence in her meant to her career. During the show's West End run at the Savoy Theatre, Parton joined the cast on stage to celebrate the musical's opening.
Final days in Nashville
Parton, often referred to as the Queen of Country, enjoyed a music career that spanned six decades. She was best known for classic hits including Jolene and 9 to 5.
Her passing followed months of health struggles that forced her to pull out of several public appearances, fuelling fan concerns for her wellbeing. Relatives rushed to Nashville after learning of her hospitalization on Friday, but not all were able to reach her while she was still alive.
In the video announcement, Seaver revealed that Parton had asked him years ago to share the news when the time came. He said his aunt had "lived in the light" and was now "in the arms of Jesus" in the company of her late husband Carl Dean, her parents, and "countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens."
Seaver fondly recalled joining Parton on tour when he was a child in the 1980s. He shared that she "opened doors not just for me but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn't even know was possible."
Funeral plans and final words
Seaver also reflected on his aunt's work ethic and character. "She was a farmer, just like her daddy. He farmed the soil. She farmed songs and happiness," he said.
He revealed that Parton had asked for comfort in her final days. "Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest," Seaver said.
Family insiders indicated that a private service for close friends and relations will be held in Nashville within the next few days. The city of Nashville, Tennessee, is recognized globally as the heart of country music.
In an interview published by People magazine just four days before her death, Parton spoke about her plans for the future. She stated that she still had "so many things I want to achieve" and vowed to keep "working as long as I can to see everything come to life."
Parton also explained during the interview that she had been grappling with "some health issues that I just didn't pay attention to when I was watching over Carl."
