Dolly Parton impersonator ‘heartbroken’ at death

Andrea Pattison, 55, who has been performing as a Dolly Parton tribute artist for 22 years, was stunned to hear that the country singer had passed away on August 25.

The Grammy-winning country music legend passed away after a “brief battle with cancer”, a representative confirmed after the news of her death broke on Tuesday.

It was the “last news I expected to hear”, says the impersonator, having performed to a crowd of 3,000 people as Dolly at Rewind Festival in Henley just a few days prior between August 21 and 23.

Andrea Pattison has been performing as a Dolly Parton tribute artist for 20 years. (Image: Lee Mclean / SWNS)

Andrea Pattison has been performing as a Dolly Parton tribute artist for 20 years. (Image: Lee Mclean / SWNS)

Andrea Pattison has been performing as a Dolly Parton tribute artist for 20 years. (Image: Lee Mclean / SWNS)

Andrea Pattison has been performing as a Dolly Parton tribute artist for 20 years. (Image: Lee Mclean / SWNS)

Andrea had been out having drinks with friends, where she assured them Dolly would be back in Vegas soon, when she came home to the dreaded news.

Andrea will continue to perform as a tribute artist for as long as she is able to help honour her memory.

Andrea, from Sunderland, said: “I was in complete shock.

“I thought it was a hoax at first but soon the reality sank in.

“I barely slept at all last night after watching all the tributes.

“I just couldn’t believe it – I would have sworn that she would live to 100 and be on the cover of Playboy.”

Andrea was lucky enough to met her idol while Dolly was on tour in the UK and her friend won two places in a meet and greet to see her backstage at the Manchester Arena.

In the moment, she was too overwhelmed to tell the singer what she did for a living, but the memory of their meeting still serves as a great comfort for Andrea now.

She told Talk to the Press: “I’ve been thinking back to meeting her fondly.

“We shared a laugh over our mothers making clothes for us as wee babies.

“It’s a memory I always treasured, but it feels particularly precious on days like today.

“Dolly was a great inspiration to me and I love my job as her tribute act – I don’t even imagine how I’ll go on now.”

Andrea started off as a wedding performer aged 26 – but kept being told how much of a resemblance she bore to Dolly.

Andrea says she and Dolly have a lot in common.

“I grew up in deprived background in Sunderland and I was one of six – Dolly was one of 12, so we are similar in that respect too,” she said.

“I got lots of hand-me-downs from my sisters as we were so poor.

“Dolly was also from a very poor background – she could have not amounted to anything but she was just so determined.”