Dolly Parton has left fans one final gift with an unreleased song which is set to be released on her 100th birthday in 20 years time. 

It was announced on Tuesday that the music icon had died at the age of 80, with her death confirmed in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver. 

And as fans mourn the death of the Jolene hitmaker, she has one more track for fans kept on a CD in a locked box at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort in Tennessee.

Titled ‘My Place In History,’ Dolly wrote the song back in 2015, the same year she opened the DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

‘I don’t know if I want to live to be 100 or not. But you never know,’ Dolly wrote in her 2020 book, Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics. 

‘I might, and if I do, I’m going to be at that opening.’

Titled ‘My Place In History’, Dolly wrote the song back in 2015, and it is kept on a CD in a locked box at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort in Tennessee

‘There’s no telling what music is going to be by then,’ she joked: ‘Hopefully, it will play and the whole thing ain’t rotted.’

The song is contained in a chestnut ‘Dream Box’ displayed in a glass case and also features a piece of wood from the front porch of her childhood home in Sevierville, Tennessee, where she grew up singing with her 11 siblings.

Dolly‘s private cancer battle has been revealed following the heartbreaking news of her death at the age of 80 on Tuesday.

The legendary country singer’s death shocked the world and came after months of health woes that saw her pull out of a string of public appearances, fuelling fan fears for her wellbeing. 

Those close to the singer said she had both become increasingly reclusive and secretive about her own ill health in recent months. 

And now, Dolly’s representatives revealed she died following a ‘brief battle with cancer‘ in a statement to People, though they did not disclose what type of cancer it was.

‘Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched,’ the statement read.

‘After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.’

Her representatives also highlighted the extraordinary reach of Parton’s ‘unmatched generosity’, noting she touched the lives of countless people she would never meet and was always ready to ‘offer a helping hand’. 

‘Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact.’

Despite her cancer battle, Parton remained optimistic and leaned on her deep Christian faith for strength in the last few months.

‘I don’t know if I want to live to be 100 or not. But you never know,’ Dolly wrote in her 2020 book, Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics (pictured in 2014) 

‘From the time that Dolly Parton was born, she was surrounded by faith, by God, by Jesus. Her grandfather was a preacher. Even in her Broadway show, she shows how much faith means to her,’ a source told People.

Meanwhile audience members gasped as news of the singer’s death was announced minutes before a performance of 9 To 5: The Musical.

The news broke just as the cast of 9 To 5: The Musical, which is touring the UK after a hit West End run, were about to go on stage at the Pavilion Theatre in Worthing, West Sussex. 

Actress Karla Tracey, who plays Parton’s character Doralee in the production, broke the news to the shocked audience on opening night.

‘Before we begin tonight’s performance of 9 to 5,’ Tracey told the crowd, ‘we would like to take a moment to remember the remarkable Dolly Parton, who has sadly passed away today.

She continued after audible gasps around the theatre: ‘9 to 5 was originally written and produced by Dolly, whose extraordinary talent, creativity, and spirit are woven into every part of this work.

‘Tonight, we will perform the piece as she intended with great respect and affection for the woman whose vision brought it to life.’

‘As we begin, we dedicate tonight’s performance to Dolly Parton, with our deepest thanks for the music, laughter and joy she gave us.’

Paul Jepson, Landmark Theatres chief executive and the musical’s director, said in a statement: ‘We would like to take a moment to remember the remarkable Dolly Parton.

‘Our thoughts are with Dolly’s family, friends and all those around the world who loved and admired her.

‘It has been an honour for all of us to work on this show, originally written and produced by Dolly, whose extraordinary talent, creativity and spirit are woven into every part.’

The Empire State Building has joined the outpouring of tributes honoring Dolly Parton following the country music icon’s passing at age 80. The New York City landmark lit up pink as a touching salute to the beloved singer, songwriter, actress, and philanthropist. However, the tribute came with a thoughtful detail that fans may recognize, making the gesture even more meaningful.

The Empire State Building often uses its iconic lights to mark major occasions and honor notable people and causes. Its colorful displays have become a familiar part of the city’s skyline, marking everything from holidays and cultural events to milestones and moments of public importance.

On August 25, following news of Dolly Parton’s passing, the landmark announced it would glow pink in remembrance of the Queen of Country Music. The display began at 9:25 p.m. ET, a nod to the singer’s hit song “9 to 5,” released in 1980.

Parton wrote “9 To 5” as the theme song for the comedy movie of the same title, which marked Parton’s mainstream acting debut and saw her star alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The hit single earned her two Grammys: Best Country Song and Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

The Empire State Building remained illuminated in pink for an hour as part of the tribute.

The Country Singer Navigated Health Issues Before Her Passing

In the past year, Parton shared that she had been battling a series of health issues, including kidney stones, digestive and immune system issues, as well as dizziness and dehydration. However, she reassured her fans that she had been receiving treatment and improving.

In an interview shortly before her passing, Parton told PEOPLE that she neglected her own health while she took care of her husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who died in 2025. “I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn’t pay attention to when I was watching over Carl,” Parton said.

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On August 25, Parton’s nephew announced the country singer had passed away at 80 years old. As reported by The Blast, a representative later shared more details about the singer’s death, revealing that she also briefly battled cancer.

Dolly Parton And Her Iconic Pink Aesthetic

The color pink became closely associated with Parton’s playful and glamorous image, fitting alongside rhinestones, bold makeup, towering wigs, and the unique fashion that became hallmarks of her personal style.

In 2020, Parton revisited some of her most iconic looks for Vogue‘s “Life in Looks” series, in which she discussed her pink ensemble from the “9 To 5” movie premiere, which she asked the film’s costume designer to create. “I just remember that was probably the first time I ever really felt like I was fashionable,” she said.

Parton described herself as a “painted doll” and used fashion as a form of self-expression. In a 2019 social media post, the singer shared a photo of her younger self in a pink outfit, writing in the caption, “No such thing as too much pink!”

Dolly Parton Sang ‘Pink’ For Breast Cancer Awareness

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Pink was more than just a color to Parton. The singer was known for supporting charitable causes and was a dedicated supporter of breast cancer awareness.

In 2020, she collaborated with Monica, Jordin Sparks, Sara Evans, and Rita Wilson on the song “Pink,” an anthem of hope for the fight against breast cancer. The lyrics express a dream of a future where pink is seen as just a color, not a symbol associated with the disease.

In 2023, Susan G. Komen, a breast cancer organization, bestowed the Promise Award to Parton for her philanthropic efforts and commitment to ending breast cancer. “Dolly has long used her talents to inspire, educate, and raise critical funds for the breast cancer community. There’s no doubt, the world is a better place with Dolly Parton in it,” the organization’s president said.

Pink Isn’t Dolly Parton’s Favorite Color

Despite its association with Parton’s signature style, pink is not actually the singer’s favorite color. Her official Pinterest page offered a glimpse into her colorful aesthetic, with boards showcasing photos of her different looks and styles throughout her career.

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In an interview with Interview Magazine, the Queen of Country Music said she has two favorites. “White and yellow. White makes me feel light and airy. Yellow makes me happy,” she shared.

The country-music icon’s cause of death has been confirmed by her family

Country music star Dolly Parton died after a “brief battle with cancer”, her publicist said. In a statement to media outlets, her publicist Marcel Pariseau said: “After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones.”

The singer, 80, was best known for her genre-defining hits including 9 To 5, I Will Always Love You and Jolene. The statement continued: “Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched. Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand.

“Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact.”

The type of cancer was not disclosed. Parton’s death was announced late on Tuesday via an Instagram video by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also served as the singer’s head of security.

He said it was “an honour that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness”, to share the news of her death, adding: “But sadness lies with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus, surely met by Carl, her parents and countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens.”

Parton’s husband Carl Dean died last year, aged 82.

Flags will be lowered throughout America in Parton’s honour, US President Donald Trump announced, posting on Truth Social “there has never been anyone like her”.

An oncologist has explained the common cancer symptoms people should look for – including some that are ignored or overlooked.

Persistent tiredness, unexplained weight loss or a cough that refuses to go away are often blamed on getting older, a busy lifestyle or a lingering virus. But according to one cancer specialist, these are among the symptoms that people too often ignore for months before finally seeking medical advice.

While most ongoing symptoms will have a harmless explanation, doctors say it’s important not to dismiss changes that are persistent, unexplained or noticeably different from what’s normal for you. Knowing when something deserves further investigation can make all the difference.

Dr Jiri Kubes, radiation oncologist and Medical Director at Proton Therapy Center, said one of the biggest misconceptions is that cancer always causes severe pain or dramatic symptoms from the outset. In reality, early warning signs are often subtle and can easily be mistaken for far more common conditions.

He said: “One symptom on its own rarely points to cancer, and the vast majority of people experiencing these symptoms will not have cancer. The important thing is persistence. If something continues for several weeks, keeps returning or simply doesn’t feel right for you, it’s always worth getting checked rather than assuming it will eventually go away.”

Persistent fatigue

Everyone feels tired after a busy week or a few poor nights’ sleep, but persistent fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest is something doctors take more seriously. It can affect your ability to work, exercise or carry out everyday activities and often feels very different from ordinary tiredness.

Dr Kubes said: “Cancer-related fatigue is often described as an overwhelming exhaustion that doesn’t improve with sleep. There are many possible explanations, including anaemia, thyroid disorders, infections and poor sleep, but persistent fatigue should always be discussed with your GP if it isn’t improving.”

A cough that won’t go away

Most coughs caused by viral infections settle within a few weeks, but one that persists or gradually worsens should not simply be ignored. This is particularly true if it’s accompanied by breathlessness, chest pain or coughing up blood.

“A persistent cough doesn’t automatically mean cancer,” Dr Kubes said. “In fact, there are many more common causes. However, if it continues beyond a few weeks or behaves differently from a typical cough, it’s sensible to have it assessed.”

Unexplained weight loss

Losing weight without changing your diet or exercise routine can sometimes be an early sign that something isn’t quite right. Although many conditions can cause unexpected weight loss, it’s one of the symptoms doctors always want to investigate.

Dr Kubes said: “If you’re losing weight despite eating normally and haven’t intentionally changed your lifestyle, it’s important to understand why. Often there will be another explanation, but it’s not something that should simply be overlooked.”

He added: “One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting for symptoms to become severe before seeking help. Cancer doesn’t always announce itself dramatically, and many of the early warning signs are vague and easily explained by more common conditions.

“The important thing isn’t to become anxious about every cough or ache, but to pay attention to symptoms that persist, keep returning or simply don’t feel normal for you. In many cases they’ll turn out to have a harmless explanation, but if something more serious is going on, getting it checked early gives us the best possible chance of diagnosing and treating it successfully.”

Something to look forward to: CD Projekt Red had already promised plenty of Witcher news at Gamescom, and it delivered more than expected. The studio has announced The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered, a substantial overhaul launching September 29 as a free upgrade for existing owners. It also provided the first proper look at Songs of the Past, a new paid expansion arriving in 2027.

The Witcher 3 Remastered appears to go considerably further than simply sharpening up the visuals of the 2015 RPG. CD Projekt Red says the new edition will update graphics, performance, combat, movement, progression, and several other parts of the game.

Visual improvements include upgraded textures for environments, characters, and monsters, along with denser foliage and revised lighting, rendering, and ray tracing. Combat is also being reworked with new animations, finishing moves, and a more adaptive camera.

Other changes include improved traversal, revised horse controls, enhanced monster behavior, new Witcher Sign effects, a redesigned skill tree, transmogrification, an expanded photo mode, and cross-platform mod support.

– The Witcher (@thewitcher) August 25, 2026

The upgrade launches September 29 on PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series. The Witcher 3 will also receive a native Nintendo Switch 2 version, while CD Projekt Red is bringing the game to Battle.net through a new partnership with Blizzard.

Existing owners on eligible platforms will receive Remastered at no additional cost.

CD Projekt Red had another surprise for anyone who only owns the base game. Hearts of Stone and Blood and Wine, the two acclaimed expansions released in 2015 and 2016, are now being made available to existing Witcher 3 owners for free. That means players can revisit essentially the complete current Witcher 3 experience before another major adventure arrives next year.

“Songs of the Past” revealed

CD Projekt Red also showed the first footage from Songs of the Past, The Witcher 3’s first new expansion since Blood and Wine a decade ago. The expansion sends Geralt to Letten, a previously unseen region portrayed as a peaceful rural land built around farming, festivals, and local folklore. Naturally, things aren’t quite as idyllic as they initially appear, with an old threat lurking beneath the surface.

– The Witcher (@thewitcher) August 25, 2026

Geralt will encounter new enemies, reconnect with familiar characters, and gain additional abilities. One of the more noticeable additions shown so far is a new chain weapon, which should give Geralt another option for controlling and attacking enemies.

Songs of the Past is being developed by CD Projekt Red alongside Fool’s Theory, the Polish studio behind The Thaumaturge. Fool’s Theory is also leading development of the remake of the original Witcher. Songs of the Past will be a paid expansion. It will launch sometime in 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and Nintendo Switch 2.

CD Projekt Red previously indicated that the expansion would be comparable in scope to Blood and Wine, which introduced the large Toussaint region and added dozens of hours of new content.

– The Witcher (@thewitcher) August 24, 2026

The company plans to reveal considerably more during Gamescom. Five days of Witcher-focused REDstreams are scheduled from August 26 through August 30, including gameplay presentations, interviews, and behind-the-scenes material covering both Remastered and Songs of the Past.

All of this will help fill what remains a fairly long wait for the franchise’s next numbered installment.

The Witcher 4, which shifts the spotlight from Geralt to Ciri, is currently targeting a 2028 release. CD Projekt Red co-CEO Michał Nowakowski emphasized that 2028 remains a target rather than a firm launch date, leaving room for the project to move if additional development time is required.

Whenever The Witcher 4 does arrive, it is expected to begin an unusually busy period for the studio. CD Projekt Red has said it wants to release three Witcher games within six years, with its collaboration with Epic Games on Unreal Engine 5 intended to help shorten development cycles between installments.

Beyond The Witcher 4 and the original game’s remake, the company has another Witcher project in development, alongside the next Cyberpunk game and an entirely new IP.

For now, though, CD Projekt Red is making its 11-year-old RPG the center of attention again. Between a free overhaul in September and a full expansion next year, The Witcher 3 is getting a much bigger second life than anyone would have expected this far after launch.

Councillor Simon Fawthrop, Bromley council’s executive councillor for transport and highways, said, “We have already raised concerns with Lime that they appear to be operating without our consent in part of our borough, with their map allowing hiring use in Penge in the last few weeks.