Twins celebrate 70th with family, friends and a tune

In their heyday in the swinging Sixties, singing identical twins Francine and Michelle Downie entertained with some of the biggest names on the music club scene.

Known then as the Lynton Twins, they backed Johnny and the Jay Tones and performed in venues in Soho with the likes of jazzmen Acker Bilk and Kenny Ball.

They left the music industry many years ago but had plenty to sing about at their 70th birthday celebrations this weekend, because both have battled through serious illness.

Born in Beltinge, the pair later moved to Canterbury and are now living in Yorkletts.

Michelle said: “To be honest, we’re lucky to be here but we believe laughter is the best medicine.”

They have fond memories of performing all over across Kent and London.

“The live music scene was really vibrant then and we played some lovely venues, but also some pretty rough ones.

“It was very exciting for a pair of teenage girls but we sadly never got that big break,” said Michelle.

Mother- of- three Francine added: “We had started singing together when we were just eight at the cinema, as you could in those days, and later had an agent who got us work.

“Our father wasn’t terribly keen on us performing and we did get traditional jobs eventually. I was a telephonist and Michelle worked as an audio typist.

“We still love singing, although it probably gets on people’s nerves.”

The pair, who are animal lovers and used to breed cocker spaniels and Westies, could not resist breaking into song at their party with family and friends at Graveney village hall on Saturday.

Francine said: “It was a fantastic evening and, of course, we had a good singsong.”

Twins Michelle, seated, and Francine Downie have celebrated their 70th birthdays; below, they were young singing stars