Back injury forces Parton to cancel tour

Dolly Parton has been forced to cancel her US tour because of a back injury.

The country icon pulled out of 13 concerts, including an appearance at Texas' South by Southwest music festival, but vowed to reschedule the dates for late April and May.

"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 in a statement.

"But hey, you try wagging these puppies around a while and see if you don't have back problems. 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."

Parton's publicist insisted that the singer's European tour, which includes two dates at London's O2 Arena, will not be affected by the injury.