Dolly Parton will descend on Ryan Tubridy's Late Late Show couch tonight – and the RTE presenter was cracking up this morning at the hilarious story of a visit the country legend paid to Dingle, Co Kerry.
Tubridy was in stitches as he read aloud from a message sent in by a listener about a dalliance her dad had with Dolly back in the day.
The Tennessee titan, according to the story, visited Dingle at the behest of Walter O'Hagan, one of her close friends – whose first cousin was Dingle local Bernard Long.
Walter asked his cousin to show Dolly a good time on her travails – despite the fact that Bernard had never even heard of her.
The woman who wrote in to Tubridy clearly saw the funny side of her dad's plight – Bernard was "calling her Dolly Parkinson" at first, she said.
Tubs was in stitches at the rollicking story of Dolly's travels, and at the attempts of her host to keep her entertained.
"When she arrived, my dad spent the first few days showing her the sights. He was completely smitten, much to my mother's annoyance: 'Having fun with Dolly, are we?'"
In typical Dolly Parton fashion, there was also some singing – of the beautiful variety – involved in her Dingle trip.
"She sang Amazing Grace in the little church in Ventry, in honour of Walter's mother, to an audience of two – my dad and Walter.
"My dad's name was Bernard Long, so I'm looking forward to your interview tonight."
It's a cracking story that shows just what a character Dolly is – and it's sure to get fans in the mood for her Late Late Show appearance tonight.
She won't be the only big name appearing, though – Daniel O'Donnell, Una Healy, Nathan Carter and Philomena Begley will also feature on a country-themed Christmas special.
