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Tipton Twin Lilian credits family and hard work for her long life as she gets ready to celebrate her 101st birthday

It's set to be a week of fun, family and celebrations for the surviving Tipton Twin as she celebrates her 101st birthday.

By James Vukmirovic
Published

Lilian Cox began a week of celebrations to help mark her 101st birthday, which is on Sunday, July 20, by attending her weekly bingo club at Tipton Sports and Social Club on Monday.

Surrounded by friends and family, Lilian was treated to a glass of lime and lemon and a piece of cake as she played bingo alongside friends and family and said it was great to have people there to celebrate with her.

She will be the guest of honour at the same venue on Saturday as her family hosts a Great Gatsby-themed party, with all in attendance wearing 1920s clothing.

Lilian rose to fame on her 95th birthday alongside her twin sister Doris Hobday when the pair appeared on social media to provide a regular and positive outlook to life through lockdown and Covid.

The Tipton Twins Lilian Cox and Doris Hobday became national figures of hope during the Covid-19 pandemic
The Tipton Twins Lilian Cox and Doris Hobday became national figures of hope during the Covid-19 pandemic

The pair charmed presenters when they appeared on BBC Breakfast, ITV's Good Morning Britain and This Morning, with funny jokes about wearing their drawers inside out and their fondness for Hollywood heart-throb Jason Statham.

Doris sadly passed away in January 2021 after contracting coronavirus, but a large photo of the two twins was on display at Lilian's table, with Lilian saying her sister was still very much in her heart.

She said: "My sister is still very much here in spirit and even with me as you can see the photo.

Lilian enjoys a drink at the Tipton Sports and Social club with Julie Bladen from the club.
Lilian enjoys a drink at the Tipton Sports and Social club with Julie Bladen from the club.

"We can't forget Doris, she was one of the best."

Born in Kings Heath in Birmingham on July 20, 1924, Lilian grew up in Tipton after the family moved there because of her father getting a job there and she said that while the town could be a bit rough and ready, she loved it.

Lilian went to school at Ocker Hill school and built a life in Tipton, working in a nail factory, and spoke about her working life, what she did for fun and what she attributed her long life to.

Lilian Cox said it was wonderful to be able to celebrate her birthday and remember her sister
Lilian Cox said it was wonderful to be able to celebrate her birthday and remember her sister

She said: "We moved here because my father couldn't get a job in Birmingham and ended up getting one here and it was a bit rough and ready, it was always nice.

"I worked on a lot of different machines in the factory and got very strong hands because of it, and outside of work, I loved to dance, especially the Tango, and go to the pictures.

"I'm happy to have my family and to be very close to them and I've lived a long life because of hard work, so I'm really lucky."

The Tipton Twins became stars on TV and social media due to a positive outlook on life
The Tipton Twins became stars on TV and social media due to a positive outlook on life

Her daughter Vivian Clarke, who was one of five children by Lilian, was at the club on Monday to help her celebrate and said it was amazing to still have her mum around.

She said: "It's just amazing and I'm so lucky and I can't believe she's made it far because I think she must have been a cat in a previous life and be on her ninth life.

"She's had so many ups and downs, but she fights back every time and it's lovely that she still gets recognised as one of the Tipton Twins.

"We're having a big family celebration at the club with a Great Gatsby theme and she's going to be all dressed up and look great."