Ashley Cain has spoken of the pain he feels every day, since the death of his eight-month-old daughter Azaylia in April 2021.
The little girl died after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of leukaemia at just eight weeks old, while her parents Ashley and Safiyya Vorajee remained by her side throughout her long health battle.
Hoping to save their little girl, the couple and little Azaylia captured the hearts of their Instagram followers around the world, as people rallied around them to raise funds in the hope of getting her life-saving treatment.
Sadly Azaylia passed away last year, leaving her parents and loved ones devastated - but Ashley says her life and her strength as she fought for her life has spurred him on to be strong and take on challenges.
Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, Ashley confessed he faces pain and grief "every day" as he was praised for being so honest and strong.
As he continues his challenges in memory of Azaylia, he shared that she is his "superpower" and that he knows she is "watching down on him" all the time. He said: "I believe my daughter is watching down on me. I believe she's got the best view of her daddy and now is my chance to take her around the world, with nothing but daddy power and that's what I've been doing."
Ashley also shared on his decision to keep his beard long, and it's all to do with his precious time with his baby daughter. He said: "Everyone asks me about the beard, it's a common question. When we were in the hospital, we couldn't go out so I couldn't get a hair cut. I ended up growing this beard. As my daughter got older she began to grab hold of it, she used to hold it and rub her feet through it.
"Because I haven't got her here with me anymore, I wanted to keep my beard cos she used to touch these very hairs on my face and I don't trim it, I don't shape it, I leave it." While Ashley and Safiyya are no longer together, they remain close after the devastating battle they faced together.
He told hosts Kate Garraway and Robert Rinder, who were visibly moved by the interview: "Me and Safiyya went through a battle together, a war, and that experience bought us closer. Safiyya gave me the greatest gift any father could hope, wish or dream for in Azaylia.
"So we are gonna be connected for the rest of our lives. I will look after her and she will look after me and hopefully together we cam look after Azaylia's legacy." Speaking about the future, Ashley said of Azaylia: "I feel pain every day, I cry every day, I grieve every day but when I'm crying, they are the most beautiful moments in my life because that is the only time I feel love in this world.
"I run head on into my problems, I use pain as power. When I do these challenges I do them on really tough, difficult occasions like Azaylia's anniversary, like her birthday because when I'm hurting, that is the time I connect best with my daughter and the time I can push myself to higher and higher levels, and my daughter is my superpower.
"I refuse to let my daughter's presence on this Earth and her passing be in vain, cos she was absolutely incredible, and she showed me the meaning of strength and courage." Viewers watching at home were moved by the emotional interview, and raced to Twitter to support Ashley.
One fan said: "I want to give Ashley cain a hug bless him," as another wrote: "How moving is this?" A third viewer tweeted: "Ashley Cain’s strength, grace and commitment to raise awareness is something I’ll always be in awe of."
Another fan commented: "breaking my heart... you could never question his undying love for little Azaylia," as a fifth said: "I hope Ashley Cain knows how blessed any child would be to have him as their father. You’ve done your daughter proud."
You can find out more about the Azaylia Foundation, including donation options, on its official website.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV and ITV Hub.
