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Amber Davies has paid tribute to the late Dolly Parton after starring in West End show 9 to 5 the Musical which was inspired by the singer's music.
Former Love Island star turned actress and singer Amber, 29, said that meeting her in preparation for her role in the 2019 show was 'a highlight of my lifetime'.
In her tribute she shared two black and white images of her with Dolly as they chatted away behind the scenes of the Savoy Theatre.
Amber penned: 'Dolly, you gave me my first YES. One of the very first to believe in me. This will always be a highlight of my lifetime.
'The world will not be the same without you. From the entire world, Thank you @dollyparton.'
9 to 5: The Musical in its various iterations is directly based on the iconic 1980 hit comedy film of the same name.
Amber Davies has paid tribute to the late Dolly Parton after starring West End show 9 to 5 the Musical which was inspired by the singer's music
Former Love Island star turned actress and singer Amber, 29, said that meeting her in preparation for her role in the 2019 show was 'a highlight of my lifetime'
The original movie starred Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly - who also earned an Oscar nomination for her famous theme song.
In the West End show Amber took on the role of Judy Bernly - who was originally played by Jane in the film.
It was announced on Tuesday that Dolly had died at the age of 80.
The legendary country singer's death was confirmed in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also acted as her head of security.
She died Tuesday morning after being admitted Friday to Nashville's Vanderbilt University Medical Center with autoimmune and kidney problems, according to TMZ.
Parton's loved ones began racing to Nashville upon hearing news of her hospitalization, but not all were able to reach her while she was alive.
'This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,' Seaver said.
He hailed his aunt for having 'lived in the light' and said she was now 'in the arms of Jesus' and the company of her late husband Carl Dean, as well as her parents and 'countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens'.
Parton, who is often referred to as the Queen of Country, enjoyed an illustrious music career that spanned an incredible six decades and was arguably best known for her hits Jolene and 9 to 5.
Her passing came after months of health woes that saw her pull out of a string of public appearances, fuelling fan fears for her wellbeing.
Amber penned in her tribute: 'Dolly, you gave me my first YES. One of the very first to believe in me. This will always be a highlight of my lifetime'
In the West End show Amber took on the role of Judy Bernly - who was originally played by Jane Fonda in the film (Dolly seen on stage with the cast of the West End show in 2019)
Seaver fondly recalled joining Parton on tour when he was a child in the 1980s, sharing that she 'opened doors not just for me but for her entire family to reach the potential we didn't even know was possible'.
He characterized her as 'a farmer, just like her daddy. He farmed the soil. She farmed songs and happiness. Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life of wearing heavy rhinestones, she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.'
Family insiders indicated that a private service for close friends and relations will be held in Nashville within the next few days.
In an interview published just four days before her death, Parton had declared she still had 'so many things I want to achieve' and vowed to continue 'working as long as I can to see everything come to life', via People.
She explained that she had been grappling with 'some health issues that I just didn't pay attention to when I was watching over Carl'.
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