Dolly Parton had surprising connection to South Yorkshire and wanted to live in small UK town

Why the Tennessee singer wanted to live in this UK town 

She became known to the world through her singing, topping charts with country music that spoke to many.

The singer was most notably known for her honorable character through humanitarian deeds and a philanthropic philosophy based on her belief “in the goodness of people.”

After taking her book-gifting programme across the UK and Ireland, Dolly Parton grew a strong connection to poorer areas.

When taking her Imagination Library to Rotherham, in South Yorkshire, she felt a strong connection towards the town.

Dolly said to the BBC: “It’s out in an area where there’s lots of hard-working people, poor people, and I am 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.”

The bumpy valleys of Locust Ridge, a rural town in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, was a predominantly poor area.

Her father never learned to read or write, even though she said that he was one of the smartest she ever knew.

Growing up around illiteracy, Dolly Parton was inspired to found the Imagination Library, a foundation offering books to lower income areas. 

Dolly Parton with Dolly's Imagination Library in Rotherham, 2007. Image: Getty.

She toured in the UK and Ireland in the 1990’s and 2000's, promoting the foundation and inviting children under 6 to read books donated by herself. 

When in Rotherham, Dolly was there to hand books directly to children, encouraging families to read together.

There is no doubt the small UK town spoke to the Tennessee singer as she shared a common story with many of the people living there.