Dolly Parton says her husband is her "anchor".

The country legend has been married to Carl Dean for 45 years and although the couple are very rarely seen in public together, the singer insists he is the most important person in her life.

Explaining why Carl is such a mysterious figure, she said: "Carl's never wanted to be in the limelight, so I didn't put him there. He wants to be Left Alone and be a homebody and then hear about what I've been up to when I get back. He's my anchor and I'm his excitement."

But Dolly - who met Carl in Nashville in 1966 - accepts her phenomenally successful career has resulted in her missing out on time with her spouse and her family.

The 'Together You and I' singer - who never had children with Carl - said: "(For success) I gave up time with family and friends, I can't ever plan too far ahead. I didn't have children."