Emotional Richard Madeley fights tears and is comforted by GMB co-stars as he recalls Dolly Parton’s cheeky joke to him

GOOD Morning Britain host Richard Madeley was left fighting back tears this morning as he recalled meeting late star Dolly Parton. The star interviewed Dolly in the past and spoke fondly about her during a tribute section on the ITV breakfast show. Richard Madeley was left fighting tears as he recalled interviewing Dolly Parton Credit: ITV Richard previously interviewed Dolly on This Morning Credit: ITV Richard struggled to compose himself as he choked back tears discussing the time that he spoke with her on This Morning. He said: “That was an interview via satellite, a live interview, from a few years ago. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! “Judy and I first met Dolly on This Morning…” He then paused as he held back tears and choked up before quietly saying: “Two seconds…” Richard became emotional on the breakfast programme Credit: ITV The star’s death was confirmed yesterday Credit: Getty It was announced via a video statement on her social media Credit: Getty Dolly’s legacy will be remembered for years to come Credit: Getty – Contributor Composing himself, he went on to say: “Right! On This Morning. She was so funny and halfway through the interview, she kept putting her little legs out, sticking her legs out. “I looked down and said ‘God, you’ve got really small feet, haven’t you? and she went ‘nothing grows in the shade honey!'” He continued: “Which I didn’t think she’d ever said before. “A lot of people think her one-liners were crafted, and I suppose some of them were, but I think a lot were spontaneous – that was spontaneous!” Most read in TV He concluded by saying: “She had a real sharp wit, she was as smart as a whip.” He was comforted by his co-presenter Ranvir Singh as well as GMB’s entertainment host, Richard Arnold. Dolly passed away at the age of 80 yesterday following a short hospital stint. The country legend’s nephew Bryan Seaver made the heartbreaking announcement to her official Instagram page Tuesday afternoon, shocking her fans worldwide. “My name is Bryan Seaver, son of Cassie Parton, and I’m representing the Parton and Owens family today announcing the passing of my aunt, Dolly Rebecca Parton. Dean, Sister, Sis and Granny to one generation, and Gigi to the next,” he began in an emotional video. “This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago, before I fully absorbed it as a future reality. “As her head of security for more than two decades, a role my father Larry held before me, I have imagined the heaviness of this moment but haven’t truly felt it until now. “It is an honor, an honor that is mixed with absolute pride and great sadness. “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.” Comment now