Coronation Street fans were left commenting on the 'crazy timing' after a Dolly Parton reference made its way into the long-running show following her death.
The country music icon's passing, at the age of 80, was announced by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who also served as her head of security, on Tuesday (August 25) evening via a video shared on Instagram.
He said it was "an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness" to share the news of her death, adding: "But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens."
Death announcement and tributes
Parton's publicist, Marcel Pariseau, later said she died after a "brief battle with cancer". Following the family's announcement, he said: "After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Centre surrounded by loved ones."
The singer, 80, was best known for her genre-defining hits, including 9 To 5, I Will Always Love You and Jolene. Parton's beloved husband, Carl Dean, also died last year, aged 82.
The statement continued: "Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand.
"Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly's unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact."
Corrie scene coincidence
It was in Wednesday's (August 26) episode of Corrie that Parton was subsequently mentioned, but it was a coincidence as opposed to an added tribute to the late music icon.
Fans of the ITV soap, which is filmed in Salford, will recall that Celeste Butterfield arrived in Weatherfield earlier this month. She quickly became a new client of Todd Grimshaw, and after first claiming she wanted to plan a funeral for her friend, she later admitted she was planning for her own send-off.
As she made her arrangements, Celeste, who has since been revealed as the aunt of Weatherfield's Bernie Winter-Alahan, made reference to her idol, Dolly Parton, and it was her again he mentioned the late singer as in the latest visit to the cobbles, she was heard telling Todd: "I guess there's only one thing left to do - pray!"
When the undertaker replied: "Didn't think you were religious," the newcomer shot back: "To the majesty herself, Dolly Parton," and it quickly got Corrie fans commenting on social media.
Fan reaction online
@J_WBerry said: "Wow! #Corrie couldn't have known when they wrote these lines about Dolly Parton, just how well timed they would be. I guess someone in production is now checking the next few episodes to make sure any further mentions aren't inappropriate or jarring! #Celeste #Todd."
@double_nna commented: "The Dolly Parton reference on today's episode of Coronation Street, though. They usually film 6-8 weeks in advance and there definitely was no time to rewrite this scene after the news of her death. Crazy timing. #Corrie."
@Genius1BCell echoed: "Crazy timing for a Dolly Parton reference #corrie."
@zh2zp58kwr admitted: "That character mentioning Dolly Parton this morning sticks in my throat ngl. #Corrie." @soulswarla added: "Corrie mentioning Dolly Parton. I wasn't strong enough for that but yes she is the queen herself. #Corrie."
