The finale of the world’s biggest classical music festival aired this evening complete with a special tribute to the late Dolly Parton
Sheridan Smith kicked off the Dolly Parton tribute(Image: BBC)
A tribute to the late Dolly Parton has left BBC viewers saying the same thing.
Last Night of the Proms: The Finale aired on the channel this evening (September 12), showing the culmination of the world’s biggest classical music festival, all beamed live from London’s Royal Albert Hall.
A last-minute addition to the event’s finale was a tribute to country music icon Dolly Parton who died at the age of 80 just two weeks ago after a brief battle with cancer.
The second half opened with actress Sheridan Smith performing the star’s hit song 9 to 5 dressed in a suitably glittery jumpsuit with bouffant blonde hair in the style of the singer. The medley then moved to the Ward Thomas Duo singing Jolene, before Beverley Knight took to the stage with a powerful rendition of I Will Always Love You.
“Are you expecting me to speak after that?” choir master and TV personality Gareth Malone later said during a chat with the BBC Proms co-hosts, Nick Mohammed and Katie Derham.
He continued: “It was so emotional, it was beautiful, I love Dolly that was a wonderful rendition. The way the choir came up it really got me.”
Many fans at home were equally moved by the tribute, with many completely blown away by Beverly Knight’s performance in particular. “Loving the #DollyParton tribute on #LastNightOfTheProms,” said one fan. Meanwhile another remarked: “Thank goodness for Beverly Knight #lastnightoftheproms.”
“Beverley Knight. Take a bow. Brilliant performance. Fitting tribute to Dolly Parton,” one gushed. “Wow. Tribute to Dolly Parton at #LastNightoftheProms Beverley Knight knocked it out of the park.”
“Wasn’t expecting a tribute to #Dolly at #LastNightoftheProms -wonderful!” said another viewer. “Sheridan Smith can SING, good lord #lastnightoftheproms this is amazing. @DollyParton would love it! Jolene really lends itself to orchestra, doesn’t it?” added one fan.
However, one BBC viewer was less than impressed with Sheridan Smith’s vocals, venting: “Surely they could have found an actual professional singer to kick off the second half, rather than some celeb who gets drafted into west end shows to fill seats.”
Last Night of the Proms: The Finale is available to watch on BBC One and iPlayer.