Billy Ray Cyrus shares Dolly Parton's amazing reaction to affair rumours

Billy Ray Cyrus has revealed Dolly Parton's reaction to rumours they were having an affair.

The 65-year-old Achy Breaky Heart hitmaker has paid tribute to the late country icon, who died on Tuesday (25.08.26) aged 80, and reflected on the moment he apologised for the outrageous claims made by the media back in the early '90s.

He wrote on Instagram: “I have so many moments and memories with Dolly, it’s hard to know where to start.

"Like every little boy, I grew up loving Dolly Parton. She was a part of our lives, on our TV’s, right in our living rooms.

“In 1992, I’ll never forget walking into her dressing room to apologize for all the tabloid stories which claimed I was having an affair with her.

"In true Dolly fashion, she just looked at me, winked, and said, ‘Honey, this trash sells records!' "

As well as the lighthearted memory, Billy Ray also revealed the Jolene singer sent him a "beautiful message" shortly before her death.

He added: "Dolly recently sent me a beautiful message, telling me she loved me with her whole heart.

"I will always love her in the same way… with my whole heart… and I always will.”

Other country stars have also been paying tribute to Dolly after her death.

He wrote on Instagram: “I can say with absolute certainty that we are all feeling the same heart brokenness today.

"I only got to spend any real time with Dolly when Gwen and I got to work with her on The Voice.

"I want everyone to know that she was the EXACT person that you think she is. It was like being with the funnest, most loving, most caring and closest member of your family.

Keith Urban took to his Instagram Stories and said he was "heartbroken" by the news, writing: "I have no words right now."