Talk about a good day for little Rotherham, England. The old steel-making town to the north of London got a visit – and a concert – from Dolly Parton who was there to open her Dollywood Foundation’s “Imagination Library” in the town. Dolly’s foundation has created these libraries all over the U.S. in an attempt to get books into pre-school homes. But Dolly created quite the controversy with some of her comments while she was in the town.

Country superstar Dolly Parton breezed into Rotherham to bring a touch of “showbiz sparkle” to the old steel town. As she opened a children’s library, the Nine to Five superstar dropped a tantalizing hint that she enjoyed an open marriage with her husband Carl Dean.

Miss Parton, 61, claimed it was “very good for both of us” if she or her spouse cheated on each other. And she also admitted she looked like a “hooker” and admired the way prostitutes dressed when she was a teenager.

When asked if her marriage of 41 years was open, Miss Parton replied: “If we cheat we don’t know it, so if we do cheat, it’s very good for both us. I don’t want to know it, if he’s cheating on me. If I’m cheating on him, he wouldn’t want to know it. And if we do, if that’s what’s making it work, then that’s fine too.”

[From the Daily Mail]

You know, even I have to admit that nothing warms the hearts of preschoolers more than talk of hookers and open marriages. They’re likely to pour Dolly a bourbon on the rocks, light a cigar and tell her the story of some of their rockier relationships too. Then they joke and laugh, and the kids head on over to the Imagination Library to learn the fun of potty training. What the hell Dolly? Can we talk about the right time and place? That was your only freaking purpose in visiting this town. Little kids! You’re supposed to pique their imaginations not spike their nightmares.

I will cut her a bit of a break because she had a few good quips during the audience question and answer session. Not sure if it makes up for talking to toddlers about your sexual dalliances, but that’s just me.

Most of her is aged 61 now, with a couple of notable exceptions, and she’s still got the voice that made her so popular.

She is also shamelessly down to earth. What would she like people to say about her in 100 years’ time, some weeks one asked.

“Don’t she look good for her age,” said Dolly.

Was she offended by the dumb blonde jokes?

“Why would I be offended?’ she said. ‘I know I ain’t dumb, and we all know I ain’t blonde.”

[From the Daily Mail]

Alright, we get it, you’re an adorable saucy old minx. Something tells me if you’re still around in a hundred years like your plan, you’ll be shacked up with one of the now-toddlers in the audience. Points for your charitable cause and all, but next time let’s have a chat about the execution first.

Picture note by Celebitchy: Dolly Parton is shown at the Thanksgiving Day Parade in NY on 11/22/07, thanks to PRPhotos.