Actor and comedian Rob Brydon has expressed regret over declining an opportunity to meet Dolly Parton during the filming of his BBC documentary series, choosing instead to remain on a family holiday in Arizona. The decision haunts him now, as he never had the chance to encounter the country music legend before her death.
Brydon presented the Honky Tonk Road Trip, a documentary that took him across the American South to mark a century of country music. During production, he visited Dollywood, the theme park established by Parton, where researchers from Conwy council's archives had uncovered the Welsh heritage of the Parton and Owens families.
After completing his filming at the park, Brydon was informed that an interview with Parton could be arranged if he returned once production wrapped. He opted to extend his family break instead—a choice he now views with disappointment.
"I sort of regret it now," he told Lucy Owen during an interview on BBC Radio Wales. "I kind of wish that I had gone back because I never met her."
Parton died peacefully in hospital in Nashville on 25 August following a brief battle with cancer. According to , she was 80 years old and was surrounded by loved ones at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. She had been admitted to hospital four days before her death with kidney and autoimmune issues.
During his conversation with Owen, the discussion turned to the parallels between Brydon's work encouraging young readers and Parton's lifelong commitment to children's literacy through her Imagination Library. The global book-gifting scheme delivers one free book every month to children from birth until they turn five years old. Owen noted that this connection felt
"like a really lovely circle."Brydon acknowledged the observation, saying
"That hadn't occurred to me, but yeah, you're right."
Parton's legacy in supporting children's reading has continued to resonate beyond her death. According to earlier reporting, Renfrewshire Council has dedicated an annual day to celebrate her Imagination Library, with the first Dolly Parton Day taking place on 25 September 2026.
Brydon's Debut Children's Book
Brydon's own venture into children's literature comes with the publication of The Cat in the Cupboard, scheduled for release on 10 September. Aimed at readers aged five to seven, the rhyming story was inspired by tales he created for his own children about their ginger cat.
The actor explained that he has long composed stories and songs
"for my own enjoyment"and was eager to share his creative work more widely. The narrative follows Crumble the cat through a series of daring garden escapades, told entirely in verse.
The concept originated when Brydon's family relocated their cat flap to the corner of the house, creating an unconventional entrance through a cupboard.
"I just remember saying, 'Oh, the cat in the cupboard, the cat in the cupboard, that sounds nice',"he recalled.
As a father of five children ranging in age from 15 to 32, Brydon brings considerable experience to his writing. He drew inspiration from classic children's poetry, noting that
"One of the only poems I can recite is The Owl and the Pussycat and I suppose there's a similar metre to that."Teachers have commended his willingness to introduce younger readers to sophisticated vocabulary, such as using "irascible" to characterise the cat's grumpy neighbour.
"I just wanted everyone to be able to read it to their children,"he said.
Connections to Gavin and Stacey
Brydon is widely recognised for his role as Uncle Bryn in the beloved comedy series Gavin and Stacey. During his radio interview, he discussed his admiration for fellow cast members Ruth Jones and James Corden, who are collaborating on a new comedy project titled The Choir.
"They have a kind of magic when they write together,"Brydon said, adding that he
"can't wait"to see the finished work, though he remains uncertain whether members of the original cast will appear in it.
Despite the passage of time since the show's conclusion, Brydon revealed that the ensemble remains closely connected.
"The cast are 'still very much in touch' via their 'active WhatsApp group',"he explained. He noted recent activity on the group, mentioning that
"It was Alison's birthday the other day and there was a flurry of activity then."
Parton's Final Days and Legacy
In her final public statements before her death, Parton had indicated she was "dealing with some health issues" and that she still had "so many things" she wanted to achieve. Her nephew Bryan Seaver was among the family members who publicly announced her passing.
Following her death, a private memorial service was reported to be planned for immediate family only, at Parton's request. Her burial took place at Woodlawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum in Nashville, where she was laid to rest alongside her husband of 60 years.
