'You'd think we've dropped from space': Identical Tipton twins on finding fame aged 95
‘All sorts of people are stopping us, even little babbies!’
These Black Country twins are the talk of the town after stealing the nation’s hearts on national TV.
Lilian Cox and Doris Hobday are being stopped in the street, asked for photos in Asda, and doing happy birthday videos on Facebook – with their new-found fame coming just months after their 95th birthday.
The pair from Tipton first came to light in July when they celebrated their birthday.
WATCH: Lilian and Doris still cheeky aged 95
Since then they have become local celebrities after appearing on This Morning with Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby as Britain’s oldest living twins.
“It was absolutely marvellous going to London, they treated us like gold, I didn’t think they’d be that nice,” Doris said.
“Everything was so perfect, it was so lovely, we’ve never been treated so well.”
Lilian added: “We saw Len Goodman and we sat by him and linked arms – we met Martin Lewis too and he’s lovely.”
After making the nation laugh and going viral online the pair have been recognised across the Black Country, being stopped in the street by people of all ages, even youngsters who have spotted them online.
Their fame has spread even further with messages sent from fans across the world and the twins now having their own Twitter account.
Lilian said: “We had a fella last Friday cross the road and he was wishing us all the very best, we didn’t know him and just said ‘thank you’, he was very nice.
“All sorts of people are stopping us, even little babbies, and we’re wishing people happy birthday on videos too.
“It’s amazing and so nice, we’re getting messages from New Zealand, Africa, everywhere.”
Doris added: “Everyone keeps saying ‘oh the twins’, and they keep stopping us, we can’t shop right.
“We’re being asked for photos. It can be a bit much – everyone’s always ignored us and we’ve ignored them but now we’re getting recognised everywhere.
"Anyone would think we’ve dropped out of space. You have to be 95 before anybody knows you’re alive, but we’re happy the way we are.”
The sisters were brought up in Tipton and lived just a few doors apart on Cotterills Road after getting married.
They’ve never lived away from each other and now live next door to each other in sheltered accommodation.
They famously said that the secret to old age is “no sex and plenty of Guinness” but they put their good health down to staying active.
Doris said: “Many people could do it, but if they have someone to help them, they let them do it. You have to keep going. We do our own cooking, washing and shopping. You use them or lose them, so we use them.”
Lilian’s granddaughter Kerry Clarke said the pair were an inspiration and had helped put Tipton on the map.
“They’re an inspiration to everyone,” she said. “Some of the messages we’ve had are quite emotional. Everyone loves them, some people event want to adopt them.
"We are making memories that are amazing for them. Even going down to London; they hadn't been on the train for years and they were treated so well. And they deserve it. Too many old people are forgotten but they should be celebrated."
