US comedian Bill Maher is facing significant backlash over a ‘soulless’ and ‘crude’ joke he made about Dolly Parton on his talk show.

Maher referenced tributes to the legendary country singer during his opening monologue on Real Time with Bill Maher on Friday night.

He pointed out that her death had gained worldwide attention, despite other ongoing global issues such as the US’ war on Iran and their trade disputes with Canada.

Maher began: ‘All this was going on and all America could really talk about this week was how sad it is we lost Dolly Parton.

‘Everybody around the country, even around the world – London, they’re doing things, the Santa Monica Ferris wheel is lit up with hearts, the Empire State Building was put up in pink.’

He then tried to add a joke, saying: ‘The Sphere in Las Vegas added a nipple.’

This sparked fury among many people on social media, with Maher slammed by countless users over his ‘disrespect’.

Writer Tara Dublin referenced the host’s dinner with Donald Trump when the US president signed a list of insults he had hurled at him over the years.

She wrote: ‘Mocking our grief over losing Dolly Parton is just more proof that Trumpsimp [Bill Maher] is a soulless ghoul who wants his own Maher-a-Lago.’

Another user shared: ‘Dolly Parton will live through the ages. Bill Maher will be forgotten three months after her death. He doesn’t like that.’

A third added: ‘Seeing a person who spent most of her life trying to unite people through music and basic decency and empathy being celebrated and revered all week must be a foreign concept to him.’

Yet another said: ‘Bill Maher trying to get edgy about Dolly Parton is wild. Buddy, you’re not “telling hard truths”, you’re just the guy who looked at a national treasure and said, “How can I make this about my bitterness”.’

Tributes were paid all over the world after it was announced that Dolly had passed away at the age of 80 earlier this week.

In Ireland, a condolences book was opened at Tallaght Library, where over 5,000 children have received books thanks to her Imagination Library initiative.

The tribute gives fans a place to share their memories, messages and heartfelt words for the beloved country singer.