Exclusive: Rod Stewart opens up on painful loss of Dolly Parton in the wake of Bonnie Tyler's death

A-listers and fans across the world are mourning the death of the queen of country, Dolly Parton, who has died at the age of 80.

News of the music star's death was revealed on Tuesday evening with an emotional video from her nephew, Bryan Seaver. It was later confirmed by Dolly's publicist that she had briefly battled with cancer at the end of her life.

British rockstar Rod Stewart, who previously collaborated with Dolly in 2004, exclusively shared his heartfelt words for the I Will Always Love You hitmaker, with HELLO! following the news of her death. 

"I had the great pleasure of recording a duet with our wonderful Dolly Baby, It's Cold Outside," he told HELLO!. "And it certainly does feel colder now that our Dolly has gone, but the light and laughter she brought will keep us warm forever," Rod added.

He added on social media that Dolly's death left him "absolutely floored" and that he was just getting over the heartbreaking loss of Bonnie Tyler, who sadly died last month. 

"I'm absolutely floored… I've just gotten over Bonnie leaving us. RIP, my darling Dolly," Rod wrote alongside a whimsical throwback photograph of himself, Cher and Dolly all holding each other by the waist.

In the photo, Rod was wearing his signature skin-tight trousers in red, while Dolly was the picture of beauty with her trademark platinum blow-dry, from which she coined one of her most iconic phrases: "The higher the hair, the closer to god."

Emotional tributes pour in

Among the biggest names to pay tribute to Dolly Parton are the likes of Reese Witherspoon, who shared a gushing message and a video of herself breaking down in tears as she confessed how much of an inspiration Dolly had been to her.

Meanwhile, Carole King said her "heart was breaking" and that Dolly, in addition to her musical talents, "was an exemplary human being."

In true Dolly style, the beloved singer was still working into the last months of her life, starring in a reimagined version of Please Please Please by Sabrina Carpenter, just last year and its accompanying music video. 

"I will cherish our laughter and conversations, and I will keep your wisdom, your playful outlook on life, and perfect sense of humour in my pocket for the rainy days," Sabrina wrote in an emotional tribute. 

The Espresso hitmaker continued: "There will never be another you, and how lucky are we all to have experienced your singular magic as well as your once in a lifetime voice, songs, and heart.

"Your light will be something the world will search forever to find again. I will always love you."