Dolly Parton’s sister Freida Parton has worried fans by inviting them to join her in ‘praying’ for the singer’s health.
The country music icon, 79, recently postponed her Las Vegas residency due to health issues.
In addition to that, weeks ago the 9 to 5 songstress pulled out of an appearance at her Dollywood theme park due to a kidney stone ‘causing [her] problems’.
Now, Freida has posted an alarming message on Facebook.
‘Last night, I was up all night praying for my sister, Dolly,’ she began.
‘Many of you know she hasn’t been feeling her best lately. I truly believe in the power of prayer, and I have been led to ask all of the world that loves her to be prayer warriors and pray with me.
‘She’s strong, she’s loved, and with all the prayers being lifted for her, I know in my heart she’s going to be just fine. Godspeed, my sissy Dolly. We all love you!’
Pulling out of the Las Vegas residency, the I Will Always Love You hitmaker wrote on Instagram: ‘I want the fans and public to hear directly from me that, unfortunately, I will need to postpone my upcoming Las Vegas concerts.
‘As many of you know, I have been dealing with some health challenges, and my doctors tell me that I must have a few procedures.’
Dolly added: ‘As I joked with them, it must be for my 1,000-mile check-up, although it’s not my usual trip to see my plastic surgeon!’
She continued: ‘In all seriousness, given this, I am not going to be able to rehearse and put together the show that I want you to see, and the show that you deserve to see.
‘You pay good money to see me perform, and I want to be at my best for you.
‘While I’ll still be able to work on all of my projects from here in Nashville, I just need a little time to get the show ready, as they say.’
Dolly added reassuringly to fans: ‘And don’t worry about me quittin’ the business because God hasn’t said anything about stopping yet. But, I believe He is telling me to slow down right now so I can be ready for more big adventures with all of you.’
‘I love you and thank you for understanding,’ Dolly signed off.
Her Vegas run of shows were due to begin on December 4 and conclude on December 13.
Dolly has endured a difficult year, as her husband of 58 years Carl Dean died in March.
The country star said in the announcement of her husband’s death: ‘Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.’
The pair met 61 years ago in 1964 outside the Wishy Washy launderette in Nashville, on the very day that the music icon moved to Tennessee.
They became inseparable and travelled to Georgia two years later to tie the knot.