Billy Ray Cyrus has shared one of his "most prized possessions" with fans - a letter from the late Dolly Parton.

The 65-year-old singer expressed his gratitude that one of his "heroes" - who died last month aged 80 - had taken the time to wish him well in the early days of his career and he admitted the note is one of the things he treasures most in the world, alongside a similar missive from fellow country legend Johnny Cash.

Sharing a photo of the letter - which was handwritten on paper featuring a floral border - he wrote on Instagram: "Never have I shared this… until now. I've posted one of my most prized possessions before: a handwritten letter from Johnny Cash.

"This one sits right beside it. To me they go together … Brother Cash and Sister Parton.

"They are the hearts and minds of two of my heroes that both took the time to express their most personal and sincere thoughts to an ole Kentucky Boy.

"@dollyparton gave it to me a few weeks after we first met in Chicago in the spring of 1992. "Achy Breaky Heart" was just beginning to take off and Some Gave All hadn't even been released yet.

"And soon after I received this letter, we'd go on to sing "Romeo" together with Tanya Tucker, Kathy Mattea and Mary Chapin Carpenter. So many memories and moments with Dolly, from network television specials to Hannah Montana. More than 30 years later, we'd do our last song together, "Christmas Where We Are."

"Today felt like the right day to share it. Shine on, Dolly. [heart emoji] #DollyDay #9to5 #dollyparton (sic)"

The letter from Dolly - who was godmother to Billy Ray's daughter Miley Cyrus - saw the Jolene singer express her excitement at getting to work with the singer and offered her support if he "needed anything".

It read: "Billy, I am glad to be working with you. I've been looking forward to it for a few weeks now. I'm proud of what's going on with you. I too think you are special! I wish you even more success in the years to come.

"I'm sorry if I stammered and stuttered when I met you, but I'm just like all the other girls these days (Just a little older! Ha!).

"Thanks for the offer to sign pictures for my gang -- your fans! They will love me for it. Same goes if you need anything. Love, Dolly."

The Achy Breaky Heart hitmaker previously admitted he was left heartbroken following Dolly's death.

He shared a picture of them together on Instagram and wrote: "Rest in Peace Miss Dolly. This is the last performance she and I did together in Dollywood for her Christmas special. We sang Christmas Where We Are!

"What most people don't know is Dolly moved the entire film schedule shoot date because my mom Ruthie had passed away. Dolly Parton. You have touched the hearts of the world. You have made your mark and made it well. A shining light that will shine on beyond the sun and moon … and certainly this crazy planet.

"From this day henceforth is forever known as, at least in my broken heart, as After Dolly. A.D. 8.25.26 A.D."

Billy Ray's mother Ruth Ann 'Ruthie' Casto died in 2022.