Dolly Parton is "excited" to return to work.

The 79-year-old singer missed an event last month due to "health challenges" but her goddaughter Miley Cyrus has offered a new update on the Jolene hitmaker's condition and suggested Dolly will be back in the public eye soon.

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Miley said when asked about Dolly: "She's always gonna keep the show going.

"The show must go on. She's just excited to get back to work."

The 9 to 5 hitmaker missed her Tennessee attraction Dollywood's induction ceremony into the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA)'s Hall of Fame last month due to illness.

She said in a video message shared on Instagram: "Well hey there, it's Dolly, and I sure wish I could be with you in person today, but you probably heard that I've been dealing with a few health challenges this fall, and my doctors told me to take it easy for just a little while."

In October, Dolly took to social media to reassure fans she was "okay" amid mounting fears for her health.

In a video message posted on Instagram, Dolly - who had been shooting some commercials for the Grand Ole Opry - explained: "Everybody thinks that I am sicker than I am.

"Do I look sick to you? I'm working hard here!

"Anyway, I wanted to put everybody's mind at ease, those of you that seem to be real concerned, which I appreciate. I appreciate your prayers, 'cause I'm a person of faith. I can always use the prayers for anything and everything. But I want you to know that I'm okay."

The country singer explained that some of her "problems" were linked to the aftermath of losing Carl Dean, her husband, in March.

She said: "Back when my husband Carl was very sick, that was for a long time, and then when he passed, I didn't take care of myself, so I let a lot of things go that I should've been taking care of.

"So anyway, when I got around to it, the doctor said, we need to take care of this. We need to take care of that. Nothing major, but I did have to cancel some things so I could be closer to home, closer to Vanderbilt [University Medical Center], where I'm kind of having a few treatments here and there, but I wanted you to know that I'm not dying."

Dolly explained that she was keen to address the speculation and joked that she's "not ready to die yet".

She said: "There's just a lot of rumours flying around, but I figured if you heard it from me, you'd know that I was okay. So anyhow, that's what I wanted to say and I'm not ready to die yet. I don't think God is through with me and I ain't done working. So I love you for caring, and keep praying for me."