Richard Madeley fought back tears on Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain as he recalled interviewing the late Dolly Parton. 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 joining his co-stars on the latest instalment of the ITV daytime show, Richard, 70, became emotional as he remembered chatting to Dolly alongside his wife Judy Finnigan, 78, during their time as hosts of This Morning. Speaking on the show, Richard said: ‘That was an interview via satellite, a live interview, from a few years ago. Judy and I first met Dolly on This Morning…’ before his voice then cracked, telling his co-stars ‘two secs’.His co-host Ranvir Singh, 49, then rubbed his back in support as Richard – who first met Dolly in 1999 before interviewing her again in 2001 – quickly composed himself before continuing his anecdote.He shared: ‘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?” and she went “Nothing grows in the shade honey!” Richard Madeley fought back tears on Wednesday’s Good Morning Britain as he recalled interviewing the late Dolly Parton 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 ‘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!’Paying tribute to the star, he added: ‘She had a real sharp wit, she was as smart as a whip.’ Agreeing with him, Richard Arnold, 56, added: ‘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 distill a thought or a moment and just have that turn of phrase like a verbal gymnast and incredible lyricist.’Dolly’s death was greeted with a flood of tributes, including from Reba McEntire, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Sarah Jessica Parker, Pedro Pascal, Khloe Kardashian, Hillary Clinton and more. Her representatives confirmed the country superstar’s death in a statement to People, sharing that the Jolene singer died following a ‘brief battle with cancer’. 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.’ Richard, 70, became emotional as remembered chatting to Dolly alongside his wife Judy Finnigan, 78, during their time as hosts of This Morning [pictured in 2001] Richard said: ‘That was an interview via satellite, a live interview, from a few years ago. Judy and I first met Dolly on This Morning…’ before his voice then cracked, telling his co-stars ‘two secs”Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand,’ the statement went on.’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 legendary country singer’s death was first confirmed Tuesday in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also acted as her head of security.She died Tuesday morning after being admitted Friday to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center with autoimmune and kidney problems, according to TMZ.Dolly’s loved ones began racing to Nashville upon hearing news of her hospitalisation but not all were able to reach her while she was alive.’This video announcement is something Dolly asked of me years ago before I fully absorbed it as a future reality,’ Seaver said.He hailed his aunt for having ‘lived in the light’ and said she was now ‘in the arms of Jesus’ and the company of her late husband Carl Dean, as well as her parents and ‘countless others who have watched her and longed to meet her in the heavens’.Dolly, who is often referred to as the Queen of Country, enjoyed an illustrious music career that spanned an incredible six decades and was arguably best known for her hits Jolene and 9 to 5. Dolly died Tuesday morning after being admitted Friday to Nashville’s Vanderbilt University Medical Center with autoimmune and kidney problems, according to TMZHer passing came after months of health woes fueling fan fears for her wellbeing.She pulled out of multiple public appearances, including a residency in Las Vegas and the opening of a new ride, NightFlight Expedition, at her Dollywood theme park.The star was supposed to attend the ride’s grand opening on August 14. Instead, a video recording of the star addressing her fans was shared on a screen at the park, which is now regarded as her last public appearance.Last October, the hitmaker’s younger sister, Freida Parton, worried fans when she asked for prayers for Parton.However, hours later Freida returned to Facebook with an update, sharing she didn’t mean to ‘scare anyone’ and adding that Parton has ‘been a little under the weather’.The songstress died just over a year after her husband Carl, whom she had been married to for nearly 60 years.