TV presenter Ashley Cain has said he is “not proud” of using sexist and misogynistic language in historical social media posts.
The former Coventry City footballer, 35, fronted the BBC Three documentary series Ashley Cain: Into The Danger Zone, where he explores issues affecting young men born into a life of criminality.
A second series of the show has been filmed but will not be aired, after allegations he frequently used abusive terms and sexualised language, including “slags”, “sluts” and “psychos”, on social media.
The footballer-turned-reality-star had remained silent since it was first reported by The Guardian last week, but has posted a multi-page statement on Instagram.
He said: “You may have seen a recent article concerning language I used many years ago that I am not proud of. I don’t deny it. I don’t excuse it. And I certainly don’t condone it.
“The truth is that these comments were made over a decade ago by a younger version of myself who still had a lot of growing up to do.
“I cannot change the past and truthfully I have never tried to hide from it. I have always believed that accountability matters. We should all take responsibility for our actions, good or bad.
“But I also believe in growth, in learning from our mistakes, and in proving through our actions that the person we once were does not have to be the person we remain.”
Known for Ex On The Beach and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, he said that at the time the posts were made he was very “lost” and “frustrated” after his dream of becoming a professional footballer disappeared because of injury.
He said he “lacked maturity, perspective and understanding”.
“Like many young men, I had lessons to learn, and life made sure I learned them,” he said.
“Over the last decade, life has taught me lessons that no amount of fame, success or public opinion ever could. I became a father. I experienced a love so powerful that it changed every part of me. Then I experienced a pain so devastating that it nearly destroyed me.”
In April 2021 his daughter Azaylia died of leukaemia aged eight months.
He said: “Losing my daughter changed me forever.
“Since then, I have dedicated my life to trying to honour my daughter’s legacy and help others wherever I can.
“I cannot change what I said over a decade ago. What I can do is take responsibility for it. What I can do is continue striving every day to be a good father, a good human and a positive force in the lives of others.”
It comes days after the BBC said it had “no plans” to broadcast the new series of a documentary hosted by Cain and “no future projects” with him.
The BBC said the posts were “completely unacceptable” and that social media vetting systems, which should have been in place, “clearly failed”.
In tweets seen by The Guardian, Cain also reportedly made jokes about hitting women.
Cain’s X account appears to have been removed from the platform.
