The BBC has made significant changes to its TV and radio schedules following the death of Dolly Parton, with a series of programmes celebrating the life and career of the country music legend.
Dolly died aged 80 on Tuesday, August 25, following a brief battle with cancer. Her representatives confirmed she died at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, surrounded by her loved ones.
The news sparked an outpouring of grief around the world, with fans and fellow stars remembering the singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist who became one of the most recognisable entertainers of all time.
Glastonbury performance to be broadcast
Now the BBC is giving audiences the chance to look back at some of Dolly's most memorable moments, including her iconic appearance at Glastonbury.
Dolly Parton at Glastonbury 2014 will be shown on BBC Four on Friday, August 28, at 9.20pm and is already available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The programme features Dolly's complete Pyramid Stage performance from the festival, where she performed during the traditional legends slot in front of thousands of fans.
Her Glastonbury set will also feature on BBC Radio 2's Sounds of the 70s on Sunday, August 30, from 4pm. Presenter Shaun Keaveny will remember Dolly alongside former Sounds of the 70s and Radio 2 Country host Bob Harris, who interviewed the star for the BBC in 2023.
Radio tributes and archive material
Listeners will also hear an archive conversation between Dolly and the late Johnnie Walker. BBC Radio 6 Music has also joined the celebrations with Superfans! Of Dolly Parton, which aired on Wednesday, August 26, at 11pm.
The programme, which is now available on BBC Sounds, originally aired earlier this year to mark Dolly's 80th birthday. Presented by Amy Lamé, it explores the extraordinary fan community surrounding Dolly and examines how her music, humour and personality brought people together.
There are further opportunities to hear Dolly's own voice on BBC Sounds, with The Country Show: Dolly Parton at the BBC bringing together interviews and performances from across five decades. The programme includes archive material from Dolly's first UK performance at the Empire Pool in Wembley in 1976, as well as interviews with David Allan, Michael Parkinson and Ross Kelly.
Stars pay tribute
Another special, The Country Show: Dolly Parton: The Fan's Story, is also available to listen to. The programme celebrates Dolly's extraordinary legacy through the words of some of the stars she influenced, with contributions from Luke Combs, Debbie Harry, Melanie C, Gloria Estefan, Mark Ronson, Suzi Quatro, Scotty McCreery, Brandi Carlile and Darius Rucker. Charles Kelley of Lady A, Jake Shears, Ashley Monroe, Dasha, La Voix and Jane McDonald also feature.
Radio 2 presenters and stars including Michael Ball, Michelle Visage, Zoe Ball and Bob Harris share their own thoughts on Dolly's influence. The special looks at the many sides of Dolly's career, from her music and unmistakable style to her acting, humour, live performances and work away from the entertainment industry.
The BBC also changed its television schedule following news of Dolly's death. Dolly Parton: Here I Am and Dolly Parton at the BBC were both broadcast as part of the tribute and are now available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Jo Whiley's Radio 2 programme was also turned into a special Dolly Parton tribute show, with the presenter paying her own respects to the late star through her music and memories.
Dolly leaves behind a remarkable legacy that stretches far beyond country music. From writing some of the most enduring songs of the past 60 years to her successful film career and extensive charitable work, she became a global icon whose appeal crossed generations. Her death comes just months after the loss of her husband Carl Dean, who died in March 2025 after almost six decades of marriage. Dolly had also spoken publicly about experiencing health problems in the months before her death, while insisting she still had plenty she wanted to accomplish. Both programmes are now available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
