News : Billy Ray Cyrus Shares Heartfelt Tribute To Dolly Parton

Billy Ray Cyrus has said he “will always love” his longtime friend Dolly Parton with his “whole heart”.

The ‘Achy Breaky Heart’ singer shared a tribute on Instagram to the country music icon, who died on Tuesday, the same day he celebrated his 65th birthday.

“I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it's hard to know where to start. Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton. She was a part of our lives, on our TV's, right in our living rooms,” he wrote alongside a collection of photographs documenting their friendship.

“In 1992, I'll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologize for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her. In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked and said, 'Honey, this trash sells records!'”

Billy Ray also revealed that the ‘Jolene’ singer recently sent him a “beautiful message” in which she said “she loved me with her whole heart”.

“I will always love her in the same way ..... with my whole heart ... and I always will,” he wrote at the end of the tribute.

After Miley Cyrus was born in 1992, Billy Ray invited Dolly to become his daughter’s godmother. Dolly later appeared three times with Miley and Billy Ray in the Disney Channel series ‘Hannah Montana’, portraying Miley’s godmother, Aunt Dolly.

Shania Twain also remembered Dolly by sharing footage of the pair singing ‘Coat of Many Colors’ together on ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ in 2003.

“Dolly was pure light sent from heaven. My mentor is gone. My songwriting teacher and hero of grace and humility,” she wrote beside the video. “There is a hole in my heart but the joy of just the thought of her smile will continue to fill me with inspiration for as long as I live. I will cherish this moment performing Coat Of Many Colors with Dolly forever. Goodbye Dolly. Rest in peace, beautiful angel.”

Oprah offered her own tribute to Dolly’s generosity, writing, “She brought the light, and we are all better because she was here,” while Elton John remembered her as “unique and irreplaceable, with the kindest heart”.

New York City’s Empire State Building was illuminated in pink at “Nine-Two-Five”, or 9.25pm, as a tribute to Dolly and her celebrated song and movie ‘9 to 5’.

The ‘Islands in the Stream’ singer died at 80 following a short battle with cancer. In keeping with her wishes, an intimate private funeral will take place for members of her immediate family.