Elsewhere, Parton's theme park Dollywood has announced several new features to honour its "dreamer-in-chief".

The singer and actress purchased the Tennessee attraction in 1982, seeing it as a counterpart to Disneyland.

It has since become the biggest ticketed tourist attraction in Tennessee, receiving about four million visitors per year.

A waterfall will be added outside the chapel's front steps, creating a "peaceful setting for guests to pause, reflect and enjoy the natural beauty" of the area, a statement said, external.

The chapel will also have new stained-glass windows to reflect one of Parton's favourite Bible verses: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."

Also, to honour Parton's love of children and her Imagination Library book donation programme, the park will introduce a new character called the Dream Maker next year.

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