Dolly Parton at the premiere of 'Joyful Noise' held at the Chinese Theatre. (Wenn.com)

Country queen Dolly Parton has laughed off new rumours suggesting the singer is gay.

The Jolene star admits she's more than aware of new reports questioning her friendship with longtime pal Judy Ogle but she tells U.S. news show Nightline she's not a lesbian.

Parton states, "Judy and I have been best friends since we were, like, in the third and fourth grade ... We still just have a great friendship and relationship and I love her as much as I love anybody in the whole world, but we're not romantically involved."

And the rumours about her have given the singer a taste of what it must be like to be Oprah Winfrey, who has been dogged by gay stories due to her relationship with best pal Gayle King for years.

The country star, who has been married for over 40 years, adds, "(People) just think that you just can't be that close to somebody."