Dolly Parton, Queen Of Country Music, Dies At 80

Legendary country music singer Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80.

"Dolly Parton's legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience," her team says - read their statement in full.

Representatives later revealed that Parton had died after "bravely facing a brief battle with cancer".

The country icon sold more than 100 million records worldwide, and wrote over 3,000 songs in a career that spanned six decades.

Parton also devoted decades of her life to charitable causes, particularly child literacy and education.

From growing up on "dirt poor" on a farm to stardom, no-one did it like Dolly, writes our music correspondent Mark Savage.

Raised in poverty in a one-room cabin in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, Parton was the fourth youngest of 12 children - her early life in pictures.

Parton's style was unapologetically bold, she wowed Glastonbury, starred in well-known films and appealed to all ages.

Source: BBC