Coronavirus: UK's oldest identical twins aged 96 defiant in fight with 'horrible' virus

Britain’s oldest identical twins Lilian Cox and Doris Hobday, aged 96, have contracted COVID-19 and are urging the public to take the virus seriously while defiantly declaring: ‘If him up there wants us …he’s going to have to run fast!”

The twins from Tipton in the West Midlands - who became social media stars after joining Facebook in 2019 and getting 20,000 viewers - have confirmed via social media that they have both tested positive for COVID-19.

‘We are both in shock’

Lilian Cox and Doris Hobday, who live next door to each other in sheltered accommodation in Walker Grange in Tipton, said in a Facebook post on 4 January: ‘We have said in the past if him up there wants us he’s going to have to run fast!

‘A few days ago Doris had a high temperature and Lil had a cough, so we took a 2nd test and unfortunately the results came back positive.

‘We are both in shock…we have been inside for most of 2020 sticking to all the rules and being careful, now this has happened.

‘We can’t work out why or where we’ve picked it up from. ‘We are writing this hoping we can save people from getting this horrible virus.

‘PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take this seriously – COVID is real and it’s affecting so many lives across the world…don’t let it affect yours or your families.’

The sisters' Facebook post prompted wishes from fans, with one to comment: 'Well if anyone is going to smash this virus you two will. Hoping for a speedy recovery, you’ve got this’.

Another fan said: 'Wishing you lovely ladies a very speedy recovery. Him upstairs is not ready for you pair yet so you're going nowhere. Big loves.'

The two sisters were brought up in Tipton and lived in the same street, only a few doors apart from each other after marrying their partners.

Doris, who was married for 65 years, did not have children, while Lilian has five children, 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

2020 was 'hardest year' but you're 'never too old to have some fun'

In a post published on 31 December, the sisters wrote: ‘2020 has been the hardest year so far in our lifetime and we’ve definitely had a few! But we have to stay positive and look forward to 2021.’

On 3rd December, the pair wrote: 'We can’t believe 6yrs ago today we were watching Michael Bublé in concert with 1000s of strangers around us and this year we can’t even see our family! We realise now more than ever you should never take anything for granted and really appreciate everything you get to experience in life'.

Their Christmas Day post on Facebook saw the fun duo playfully dress up in Christmas jumpers and wear sparkly Christmas presents and Christmas puddings as festive hats.

On 25 December 2020, they posted on Facebook: ‘Remember you're never too old to have some fun... especially at Christmas and after the year we’ve all had!

‘Laughter is definitely the best medicine and having good health is the greatest gift of all.’

The sisters, who worked in factories in Birmingham when they were younger, have always had fun together. Asked what the secret to their longevity is, Lilian once said "No sex and plenty of Guinness."

Speaking of their fears of the virus’ impact on their health and cheekily referring to their crush on Hollywood actor Jason Statham, they said: “We are running faster than ever because we both aren’t ready yet…we still haven’t met Jason Statham!”