Dolly Parton has "not stopped crying" since watching the Grand Old Opry's tribute to Carl Dean

She wrote on her Instagram Story: "I have not stopped crying over the beautiful tribute of 'I Will Always Love You' on the 100th Anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry show.

"All those beautiful people with all their beautiful voices singing my song as a tribute to my husband Carl... the emotion was beyond words.

"I have cried enough to wash a great deal of the pain away so thanks to all of you beautiful people that helped make that possible.

"I also will always love you."

Speaking on the stage before the heartfelt performance, Reba shared a message of support for 79-year-old Dolly.

She said: "Everybody here at the Opry and around the world wants to send you our thoughts and prayers.

"And you gotta know, we will always love you."

'What He Didn't Do' singer Carly Pearce paid tribute to her hero Dolly earlier in the evening when she performed a rendition of the 1973 classic 'Jolene'.

The Grammy award-winning artist told the crowd: "Dolly Parton is my hero, and it means so much to me that she invited me to join the Opry. "Dolly, I just want you to know that my heart goes out to you and your family, and it is my great honor to sing my favourite Dolly song tonight."

Dolly recently admitted she is "doing better" than she thought she would in the wake of her spouse's passing.

Speaking to Knox News, she said: "I'm doing better than I thought I would.

"I've been with him 60 years.

"So, I'm going to have to relearn some of the things that we've done.

"But I'll keep him always close."