Richard Madeley choked up on GMB while remembering ‘funny’ Dolly Parton interview

| Senior TV Reporter Published August 26, 2026 1:22pm Updated August 26, 2026 1:29pm To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Richard Madeley was left choked up on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, as he recalled interviewing late country music legend Dolly Parton. Her loss has shocked and saddened the entertainment world, after her nephew Bryan Seaver shared the news in a touching tribute on Tuesday night. Tributes have poured in from the biggest names in music, including Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney, Sir Mick Jagger, Taylor Swift and Beyonce. Madeley, 70, shared his own tribute to the 9 to 5 hitmaker, which he struggled to get through on the ITV morning programme. He recalled interviewing Parton alongside his wife Judy Finnigan, 78, for an instalment on This Morning back in 2001. Madeley said: ‘That was an interview via satellite, a live interview, from a few years ago. Judy and I first met Dolly on This Morning,’ but he was forced to stop abruptly after his voice cracked with emotion. Richard Madeley struggled to get through his tribute, as he became choked up (Picture: ITV) The loss of the country music star has shocked and saddened the entertainment world (Picture: AFF-USA/REX/Shutterstock) His Good Morning Britain co-host Ranvir Singh, 49, rubbed his back while Madeley composed himself. He continued: ‘Right! On This Morning. She was so funny and halfway through the interview, she kept putting her little legs out, sticking her legs out and I looked down and said “God, you’ve got really small feet, haven’t you?” ‘She went, “Nothing grows in the shade honey!” 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.’ He added: ‘She had a real sharp wit; she was as smart as a whip.’ ‘She had a real sharp wit; she was as smart as a whip’ (Picture: ITV) Showbiz presenter Richard Arnold, 56, chipped in in agreement, adding: ‘Grit and wit – honed from her upbringing, absolutely. We nicknamed her the “Dolly Lama” amongst our group of friends because she had so many gems and pearls of wisdom. ‘She could always distil a thought or a moment and just have that turn of phrase like a verbal gymnast and incredible lyricist.’ Parton’s publicist, Marcel Pariseau, said that the singer had died after a ‘brief battle’ with cancer, adding: ‘Dolly departed her earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Centre surrounded by loved ones.’ Landmarks around the US were lit up pink in Parton’s honour, including the Empire State Building in New York, the Willis Tower in Chicago and the Pacific Park Ferris Wheel in Los Angeles. Deals of the Day Shop MySweetSmile's biggest Bank Holiday offers before they end Back-to-school shopping just got a lot cheaper thanks to Primark The back-to-school essential parents forget every year – and it could cost them Simba's cooling mattresses are now up to 30% off ahead of the bank holiday The best hosepipe ban-friendly products to protect your garden this summer Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 from 6am. Arrow MORE: Dolly Parton showed cruel billionaires the right way to be rich Arrow MORE: Devastating moment 9 to 5 The Musical audience told Dolly Parton has died Arrow MORE: Dolly Parton’s heartbreaking confession days before her death: ‘I have more to achieve’ TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.