A BOOK looking back on life as one of the world-famous Tiller Girls has been published by a Wirral dancer.

My Sixteen Sisters - Dancing With The Stars by Fay Robinson is proof that you can do whatever you want to do if you put your mind to it.

Born in Doncaster, Fay was once of seven children who spent their formative years living in the middle of a wood in an RAF Nissan Hut with no electricity, heating, running water or flushing toilets.

Life was very needy. Her mother's dream was for her to be a John Tiller Girl. At 16, she did just that.

It launched a career of performances on numerous television variety shows including Sunday Night at the London Palladium, Saturday Spectacular, Billy Cotton Band Shows and the Royal Albert Hall Christmas Spectaular.

In her time, she has shared the stage with the likes of Sir Bruce Forsyth, Bob Monkhouse, Max Bygraves.

Now in her 70s, Fay has lived in Wallasey for the last 30 years. She took over the Tiller Girls in 2000 and they are still as dedicated to showbusiness.

Their first appearance, under her leadership, was on female impersonator Danny La Rue's shows at the Winter Gardens theatre in Blackpool.

The book is called My Sixteen Sisters ... because, as Fay told the Globe: "They were my extended family".

She continued: "The main reason I wrote the book was to prove to people that you can do anything.

"I didn't have any academic qualifications, but have managed to go on and achieve what I have done.

"In our village, there wasn't much to do. The only work available was mining. My grandfather and dad both worked down the mine.

"For the women, there was only really factory work.

"Once I got to live my dream, I have never stopped dancing."

The Tiller Girls were formed in Manchester by John Tiller in 1889.

On her time with the legendary troupe, Fay reflected: "To make it to the Palladium at 16 was a big thing in our village. It was like I was a big star."

"It's given me the chance to see the world. Being a Tiller Girl was very well disciplined.

"The dance school I trained at - Tickhill School of Dancing in Doncaster - was very well ordered. We've travelled all over world and are still very much active today.

"We hand out the programmes every year at the Royal Variety Show and will be doing so again in November.

"Everybody who has read the book has said how inspirational it is. We still keep in touch with ex-Tiller Girls in Australia, Amsterdam and other places.

"On Facebook, I recently had a message from Bernie Tiller - John Tiller's grandson, who congratulated me on the book."

As we chatted, Kate Holleran - who had popped into the Globe's office to place an advert - ended up buying a copy of the book.

She said: "I'm an avid reader and would love to write a book.

"I overheard Fay talking and was really influence by what she was saying."

To order your copy, contact Fay at f.robinson980@btinternet.com