Dolly Parton will be honoured with a star-studded musical tribute at this Saturday’s Last Night of the Proms following her death aged 80.
The country music legend, who died in August after a short battle with cancer, will be celebrated at the Royal Albert Hall with performances from Sheridan Smith, Beverley Knight and country-pop twins Ward Thomas.
The special tribute, titled To Dolly, With Love, will see the three acts join the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus on September 12 as this year’s eight-week BBC Proms season draws to a close.
Ms Smith, best known for her role in Gavin and Stacey, will perform Ms Parton’s iconic workplace anthem 9 to 5, while Ms Knight will take on I Will Always Love You.
The country music legend died in August aged 80
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Twins Catherine and Lizzy Ward Thomas will perform Jolene, one of Ms Parton’s most recognisable hits.
The musical arrangements for the tribute have been crafted by Fiona Brice, who has adapted the beloved hits for full orchestral and choral accompaniment.
All three acts will share the stage with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus for the medley of Ms Parton classics.
Beyond the tribute, the evening features two newly commissioned works receiving their world premieres: Iris of Life from Academy Award-winning British composer Anne Dudley and Dithyramb by Canadian composer and conductor Samy Moussa.
Dolly Parton will be honoured at this year’s Last Night of the Proms
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Chief conductor Sakari Oramo will take the podium to lead the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Chorus and BBC Singers through a classical programme that also includes Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat from Loesser’s Guys and Dolls.
Sam Jackson, BBC Radio 3 and Proms controller, said: “This year’s Last Night of the Proms promises to be a joyous celebration, bringing together world-class performers, much-loved repertoire and memorable musical moments.”
Suzy Klein, the BBC’s head of arts and classical music TV, described the season as “an extraordinary summer of live music”.
The concert will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds.
Beverley Knight will take on Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You
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Saturday’s event draws the curtain on a 2026 Proms season that encompassed 86 concerts across eight weeks, drawing a combined audience of 300,000.
Mr Jackson added: “We very much look forward to the centenary of the BBC Proms next year but, for now, we can’t wait to celebrate the end of the 2026 season in style!”
Ms Parton’s death on August 25 prompted an outpouring of tributes to a career that spanned seven decades and established her as one of the most successful country artists of all time.
The Tennessee-born star sold more than 100 million records worldwide and achieved 26 number one songs on Billboard’s country charts, while her catalogue included enduring hits such as Jolene, Coat of Many Colors, 9 to 5 and I Will Always Love You.
Her influence stretched far beyond country music, with Ms Parton finding success across pop, rock and other genres and earning 11 Grammy Awards during her career.
She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, while Billboard named her its number one country music artist of all time in 2024.
Ms Parton also enjoyed a successful acting career, starring alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the 1980 comedy 9 to 5, before going on to appear in films including Steel Magnolias and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
The special Dolly Parton tribute will take place at the Royal Albert Hall
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Away from entertainment, the singer became renowned for her philanthropy.
She launched Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in 1995 after being inspired by her father, who was unable to read or write.
By June this year, the literacy programme had distributed more than 325 million free books to children across the world and was sending out more than 3.5 million books every month.
Following Ms Parton’s death, her family asked fans wishing to pay tribute to donate to the Imagination Library in lieu of sending flowers.
