Updated

In an exclusive interview published Monday, Dolly Parton addressed long-standing rumors that her lifelong friend Judy Ogle is actually her secret lover -- despite being married to her husband for 53 years.

The 73-year-old brushed off the “secret lover” rumors about Ogle, whom she’s reportedly known since childhood and regularly calls her “girlfriend” (in a platonic way).

Well, people love to talk, people love to gossip. They’ve said that about Oprah but it’s not true.

— Dolly Parton

“So people say that — because you can’t really have a great relationship with a woman. I’m not gay but I have so many gay friends and I accept everybody who they are,” Parton told The Sun.

DOLLY PARTON SAYS HUSBAND CARL DEAN ISN'T 'NECESSARILY ONE OF THE BIGGEST FANS' OF HER MUSIC

Parton and her husband, Carl Dean, 76, have been married for 53 years, which, for showbiz standards is exceedingly rare. The duo has rarely been seen in public together.