'I kept asking where's our Doris': Tipton twin Lil thankful for support after losing sister to Covid-19

“I kept asking the nurses ‘where’s our Doris?’ and they wouldn’t tell me – if she had been next to me I could have helped her.”

Those are the heartbreaking words of Lilian Cox, one half of the Tipton Twins, who lost her identical 96-year-old sister to coronavirus.

Doris Hobday sadly lost her battle with the virus and died on January 5 after a short stay at Sandwell General Hospital in West Bromwich.

Lilian was rushed to hospital on the same day and spent two weeks on oxygen, steroids, vitamins and antibiotics, before being discharged.

Family members instructed nurses to hold back the information about Doris as Lil fought for her life in the hospital for around two weeks.

She was only told of her sister’s death once she was discharged from hospital and was strong enough to take the devastating news.

Lil, who is still recovering from Covid, said she felt she could’ve helped her sister – which sadly was not possible due to how ill Doris had been with the virus.

Family members described it as being “touch and go” whether Lil would survive and there were fears over losing both family members to Covid-19.

Lil says the loss of her sister has not fully sunk in – but she misses Doris sitting beside her.

And she became upset when Doris was shown as part of the tribute to all the 100,000 people who have lost their lives to Covid, on Good Morning Britain.

The 96-year-old said the pair enjoyed bingo and watching Fast and Furious – mainly for Jason Statham, who is now known as Lil’s “other bloke”.

And there’s no surprise Piers Morgan is her “number one”, with the presenter sending flowers and a signed photograph of himself to Lil.

The devastating news has also led to an outpouring of support with more than 1,000 people offering their condolences.

Lil, whose family have read some of the kind messages to her by her family, said: “It’s lovely.

“You wouldn’t believe how many kind people are about.”

She has received flowers from New Zealand, as the sisters have friends living over there, along with a card of condolence from Mayor of Sandwell, Councillor Ann Jaron.

Kaitlyn Bristowe, a recent winner of Dancing with the Stars, also paid tribute. And a fundraiser set up in memory of Doris has already raised more than £6,000, including Gift Aid, for the Beacon Centre for the Blind.

The family said the charity helped Doris look after her husband, Ray, for more than 20 years when he lost his eyesight suddenly during their long marriage.

The fundraising page has also acted as a book of condolence her family, friends and others could leave messages on – with more than 350 people paying tributes.

Lil, who received her Covid-19 vaccine on Friday, said she was recovering well from the virus after being looked after by her daughter, Vivien.

She said she had a “good nurse” in her daughter, a “good granddaughter” and she would “even pay” for them to have the jab as well.

After she was vaccinated at Black Country Living Museum, she urged others to do the same so everyone can return to some normality.

“When you receive your vaccine letter, please make sure you book your appointment, it’s so important for the country to get back to some normality and having the vaccine will play a big part in this.

"The quicker everyone is vaccinated the quicker we can start living again and enjoying life that is very precious once more."

Doris’s funeral will take place on February 15. She will be laid to rest with her husband Ray, whom she lost 11 years ago after 65 years of marriage.

• To donate to the Beacon Centre in memory of Doris, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/dorishobday