The Last Night of the Proms concluded its 2026 season with a special musical tribute to the late Dolly Parton at the Royal Albert Hall. The segment, titled "To Dolly, With Love," featured performances of Parton's iconic songs arranged by composer Fiona Brice.
Sheridan Smith opened the tribute, performing Parton's feminist anthem "9 to 5" while wearing a glittering gold jumpsuit and blonde wig. The performance was accompanied by a large dance ensemble. The Ward Thomas Duo, sisters Catherine and Lizzy, followed with a rendition of "Jolene," accompanied by a choir. Soul singer Beverley Knight closed the tribute with a performance of "I Will Always Love You."
The artists were joined on stage by the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Choir master Gareth Malone described the tribute as "emotional" and "beautiful," noting the impact of the choir's entrance. Conductor Sakari Oramo remarked on the "festive buzz" and "tangible" atmosphere in the Royal Albert Hall.
Fans watching the event online praised the performances as a "fitting tribute" to Parton, who died last month at the age of 80 at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Parton, often referred to as the "Queen of Country," sold over 100 million records worldwide during her six-decade career and won 11 Grammy Awards. Her death followed months of declining health which had led her to withdraw from public appearances.
The 2026 BBC Proms season encompassed eight weeks and featured 86 concerts, attracting an attendance of 300,000 people.