Dolly Parton’s unlikely love for Rotherham – and why she even wanted to live there

Dolly Parton might be one of the biggest country music stars in the world, but not many people are aware of the singer’s surprising connection to South Yorkshire.

Yesterday, it was revealed that the global icon and singer died at the age of 80.

Born on January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, she became known to the world as a songwriter, humanitarian, philanthropist, actress and author.

However, in 2007, Dolly unexpectedly developed a love affair for Rotherham after taking her global book-gifting programme, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, to the Yorkshire town.

In a BBC Sounds clip, Dolly said: ‘It’s out in an area where there’s lots of hard-working people, poor people, and I totally related to Rotherham.

‘I’m so glad that we started there because that was really more of a heart spot for me because I related to the people.

‘I know that’s out in an industrial area. They were making fun of me for going out there, and I thought do you know what, don’t make fun of me I was even looking for a little apartment.

‘I thought when I go that would be a great place for me to go and hide out.

‘So you never know, you may be walking down the streets of Rotherham and see me.’

Her passion for children’s literacy saw her launch the Imagination Library in 1995, which provided children in her home county with a free book every month from birth until they turned five.

Dolly herself grew up in poverty as one of 12 children in a family where money was scarce and working on the farm was a necessity.

Often, at times, work became the priority over education.

However, after the project became an international programme, Dolly visited Rotherham to put books directly into the hands of young children and encourage families to read together.

Dolly previously spoke about the importance of her father, who could not read or write, and her determination to give children access to the opportunities that literacy provides.

From remote communities in Alaska to children in Nottingham and other parts of the UK, thousands of young readers have been reached by the scheme.

Speaking about the project, Dolly said that the books were a way of giving children a head start in life following her childhood.

While Rotherham seemed like an unlikely chapter in the life of one of America’s most famous singers, Dolly’s 2007 visit showed how far her passion for children reading had travelled.