JK Rowling fires back after furious backlash over Dolly Parton tribute post

JK Rowling has fired back after users online 'wished death' upon the author following her tribute to Dolly Parton.

The Harry Potter creator has received a number of hateful messages in response to her post, following the announcement of the country star’s death on Tuesday (August 25).

The author was among thousands who honored Parton in light of the tragic announcement, as she wrote on social media: "Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library was the best contribution to child literacy ever made by a celebrity.

"Our paths crossed once, in the 90s, backstage at a talk show, and I was completely tongue-tied and starstruck. RIP Dolly. You were a complete, irreplaceable one-off."

For those that aren't familiar, the iconic artists launched the Imagination Library in 1995 - a book-gifting program that mails one free, age-appropriate book every month to children from birth until they turn five.

But despite Rowling's heartfelt tribute recognising the singer's remarkable contribution to philanthropy, critics flooded the comments to attack the 61-year-old - specifically because Parton was an LGBTQ+ ally.

Some branded her a 'monster', while another crossed the line completely by adding: "It should have been you."

But the author has not let the comments get to her, as she reposted an encounter one user online had with Parton which involved Rowling.

"Somebody emailed my office to share this, from Facebook," she said.

"Another Dolly moment," the anecdote began.

"I was on a flight and was happy to find that right next to me was Dolly.

"We had worked together many times so this was great. I looked down and saw she was reading Stephen Hawking' s 'A Brief History of Time'.

The post continued: "I looked at her and said great reading. She then showed me it was actually Harry Potter with the Hawking book cover. We had a great laugh.

"There was only one Dolly.....They did not break the mold with her; she was a freehand one off!"

One fan of the author replied: "I wonder when this encounter happened? I would be EXTREMELY interested in the date."

Others claimed the story was 'made up'.

Parton's nephew announced her death earlier this week, in a heartfelt video tribute to his Aunt on Instagram.

On behalf of the family, he said: "My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you. She has always been your television, your record player, your CD, becoming an extended part of your family. Whether you liked it or not. Our family and the team she has entrusted with her legacy will work diligently to ensure her spirit will live with us forever."