Parton back ache delays US tour

Dolly Parton will kick off the European leg of her tour in June

Country singer Dolly Parton has postponed her forthcoming US tour because of back ache but said the European leg will go ahead as planned.

The tour, set up to promote her Backwoods Barbie album, was due to start in Minneapolis later this month.

"You try wagging these puppies around a while and see if you don't have back problems," the famously buxom performer said in a statement.

Dates will be rescheduled. She has been advised to take eight weeks off work.

"I know I have been breaking my neck and bending over backwards trying to get my new Backwoods Barbie CD and world tour together, but I didn't mean to hurt myself doing it," she said.

"Seriously though, the doctors said I will be good as new in a few weeks, and I can't wait to get back out there," she added.

She will take to the stage in Sweden in June, where she will perform four more dates before taking her tour to the UK.