Lulu Roman, who sang with Dolly Parton, has died at the age of 78. The actress and gospel singer was best known for her role in Hee Haw and Hee Haw Honeys, as well as starring in The Love Boat and Corky. At more than 300lbs, she referred to herself as "the fat girl", and appeared in more than 150 episodes of Hee Haw from 1969 to 1992.

The sad news was confirmed by her son Damon Roman, who said she died in Bellingham, Washington, where she had moved to be with him just seven months earlier. A statement from her former publicist Ben Laurro to People magazine read: "Lulu Roman was unsung. She endured much adversity in her life that helped her become a joy to others."

Lulu lost 200lbs after initially being "hired to be the fat girl" in Hee Haw, confessing: "They needed one boy next door, one fat dumb man, one fat dumb woman. [Country star] Buck [Owens] said: 'I got your girl! She's in Dallas!'"

Lulu had been born with a thyroid condition that led to her obesity, in a home for unwed mothers. She grew up in an orphanage and was sadly never adopted. She started her career performing a comedy routine called Lulu Roman: The World's Biggest Go-Go Dancer in 1964 after finishing high school.

Later, sadly, Lulu would battle drug addiction, and decided to reinvent herself as a gospel singer by the 1970s. She even recorded with country music icon Dolly Parton, and was described as having "the voice of an angel". She initially started singing on Hee Haw when she returned in 1973, and was finally inducted into the Country Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1999.

Lulu married twice, first to Gary M. Toman in 1975 and then to Woody Smith in 1988. She welcomed two sons, Damon and Justin.

Tributes have been flooding in from fans and fellow stars, with musician Ricky Skaggs posting: “Lulu Roman has been a dear friend for over 40 years. We loved her. Such a talented person. A great entertainer, a great singer and a wonderful Christian lady. We will miss her sweet smile and great hugs.”

Another fan wrote: “She was funny and sassy and man could she sing… Heaven has a new member of their choir… Lulu Roman has gone home to Heaven.”