Dolly Parton<\/a> “wishes she could be” at her upcoming 80th birthday celebration at the Grand Old Opry.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
Dolly Parton turns 80 later this month<\/p>\n
The 9 to 5 hitmaker – who has been out of the public eye dealing with “health challenges” for some time – will reach the milestone age on 19 January and in honour of her special day, the iconic Nashville venue will mark her birthday for the fourth year in a row with a special concert on 17 January.<\/p>\n
But Dolly has confirmed she won’t be there to see the likes of Lainey Wilson, Vince Gill, Rhonda Vincent, and Trannie Anderson pay tribute to her.<\/p>\n
She said in a video message shared on the Grand Ole Opry’s Instagram account: “I just wanted to say how much it means to me that you’re all coming together again this year to celebrate my big old birthday with some of my songs.<\/p>\n
“Some of my favourite memories happened right here, onstage at the Grand Ole Opry. I wish I could be there in person, but I’ll be sending you all my love for sure, so you have the best night ever.”<\/p>\n
\nA spokesperson for the Jolene singer insisted Dolly had “never” planned to be at the event.<\/p>\n
\nHer representative told Entertainment Weekly: “She never had plans to attend.<\/p>\n
\n“If she were going to attend, then the Opry would have promoted that.”<\/p>\n
\nIn October, Dolly took to social media to reassure fans she was “okay” amid mounting fears for her health.<\/p>\n
\nIn a video message posted on Instagram, Dolly – who had been shooting some commercials for the Grand Ole Opry – explained: “Everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am.<\/p>\n
\n“Do I look sick to you? I’m working hard here! <\/p>\n
\n“Anyway, I wanted to put everybody’s mind at ease, those of you that seem to be real concerned, which I appreciate. I appreciate your prayers, ’cause I’m a person of faith. I can always use the prayers for anything and everything. But I want you to know that I’m okay.”<\/p>\n
\nThe country singer explained that some of her “problems” were linked to the aftermath of losing Carl Dean, her husband, in March.<\/p>\n
\nShe said: “Back when my husband Carl was very sick, that was for a long time, and then when he passed, I didn\u2019t take care of myself, so I let a lot of things go that I should\u2019ve been taking care of.<\/p>\n
\n“So anyway, when I got around to it, the doctor said, we need to take care of this. We need to take care of that. Nothing major, but I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home, closer to Vanderbilt [University Medical Center], where I\u2019m kind of having a few treatments here and there, but I wanted you to know that I\u2019m not dying.”<\/p>\n
\nDolly explained that she was keen to address the speculation and joked that she’s “not ready to die yet”.<\/p>\n
\nShe said: “There’s just a lot of rumours flying around, but I figured if you heard it from me, you’d know that I was okay. So anyhow, that\u2019s what I wanted to say and I\u2019m not ready to die yet. I don\u2019t think God is through with me and I ain\u2019t done working. So I love you for caring, and keep praying for me.”<\/p>\n
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