Grand Ole Opry apologises for Elle King's 'hammered' performance during Dolly Parton tribute

Representatives for the Grand Ole Opry have apologised for Elle King's drunken performance during a Dolly Parton tribute concert.

The Ex's & Oh's singer took to the stage at the famed country music institution in Nashville, Tennessee on Friday to celebrate Parton's 78th birthday.

During her rendition of Marry Me, she stumbled her way through the song, forgot the lyrics, swore repeatedly in front of the family-friendly crowd and admitted she was"f**king hammered".

"I don't know the lyrics to these things in this f**king town," King said mid-performance, according to social media footage. "Don't tell Dolly 'cause it's her birthday... I'm not even gonna f**king lie... y'all bought tickets for this s**t, you ain't getting you're money back... And I'm gonna tell you one thing more: Hi, my name is Elle King, I'm f**king hammered."

Before performing one of her own songs, she joked, "I can barely play another person's song, let me see if I can play one of mine."

Attendees took to social media to complain about King, with one user writing that she "did one of the most disrespectful things you can do to that stage", while another added, "Elle King ruined the night with her horrible, drunk, and profane performance. Dolly Parton would've been mortified."

Representatives for the venue responded to the latter comment and offered an apology.

"We deeply regret and apologize for the language that was used during last night's second Opry performance," they wrote.

The 34-year-old singer, who is the daughter of actor/comedian Rob Schneider, has yet to comment on her performance.