The BBC Proms closed its 2026 season with a heartfelt musical tribute to Dolly Parton during the Last Night of the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday. The segment, titled "To Dolly, With Love" and arranged by composer Fiona Brice, featured performances from actress Sheridan Smith, the Ward Thomas Duo, and soul singer Beverley Knight, accompanied by the BBC Symphony Orchestra and choir, honouring the country music icon who died last month.

Sheridan Smith opened proceedings dressed in a gold sequin jumpsuit and blonde wig to perform "9 to 5", followed by Catherine and Lizzy of the Ward Thomas Duo delivering a sombre rendition of "Jolene" with the choir, before Beverley Knight closed the tribute with "I Will Always Love You". Choir master Gareth Malone and conductor Sakari Oramo both praised the emotional atmosphere, while viewers at home called it a fitting send-off for Parton, who died aged 80 at a Nashville cancer centre after selling over 100 million records and winning 11 Grammy Awards. The concert marked the end of an eight-week Proms season comprising 86 concerts attended by around 300,000 people.