Ashley Cain has announced the death of his grandmother, sharing an emotional tribute on Instagram and asking her to give his late daughter Azaylia "the biggest kiss and cuddle" in heaven. The former "Ex On The Beach" star described his grandmother as a "carer, protector, confidant, and second mum" who shaped him into the man he is today.
In his lengthy post, Cain detailed the profound impact his grandmother had on his life, recalling her kindness, strength, and selfless nature. He expressed gratitude for her unwavering belief in him, stating, "She believed in me before the world ever knew my name, and she never stopped believing in me, no matter where life took me." He concluded the tribute by asking her to watch over Azaylia, who died in April 2021 at eight months old after battling leukemia.
The announcement comes as Cain continues to address past misogynistic comments he made on social media. In a statement released prior to his grandmother's passing, Cain acknowledged the resurfaced tweets, stating, "I don't deny it. I don't excuse it. And I certainly don't condone it." He explained that the remarks were made by a "younger version of myself who still had a lot of growing up to do" and that he cannot change the past but strives to learn from his mistakes.
Cain elaborated on his past behavior, attributing some of it to a period of frustration and uncertainty after his professional football career ended due to injury and as he navigated the reality television world. He emphasized the lessons learned through hardship and loss, particularly the devastating experience of losing his daughter, Azaylia. "Losing my daughter changed me forever," he wrote. "When you sit beside your child and watch them fight for their life, everything that once seemed important suddenly becomes insignificant."
Following Azaylia's death, Cain has dedicated himself to fundraising for childhood cancer research through extreme ultra-endurance challenges and co-founded the Azaylia Foundation with Azaylia's mother, Safiyya Vorajee. The foundation aims to raise awareness, fund research, and provide support to children and families facing cancer.
Cain's past comments have led to professional repercussions, including being dropped by the BBC and his management company. He stated his commitment to honesty, growth, and helping others, acknowledging that his imperfect life allows him to connect with others facing struggles. "My commitment remains the same as it always has: to live with honesty, to keep growing and to help others where I can," he wrote. "I cannot change the past. None of us can. But every day I wake up, I can choose the man I want to be, and I can choose the impact I want to have on the world around me."