The swearing, shouting and angry action on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins took a pause on Sunday night as former footballer Ashley Cain was brought in front of the trainers to talk about his aggression and told a shattering account of the moment he lost his eight-month-old daughter, Azaylia.
Cain spoke about his motivation for doing the show and how he was determined to push on the way his little girl fought throughout her short life. Azaylia passed away on April 24, 2021, when she was just eight months old following a courageous battle with acute myeloid leukaemia. Viewers of the show were in bits after Ashley spoke openly about his experience.
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'I'm a family man. Always been a family man, that's what I'm about. I had a chance to start my own family and I had a beautiful little baby girl. Two months into my daughter being born we found out she had a really aggressive form of leukaemia," said the star, who's also appeared on Ex on the Beach. "She was incredible. She showed strength, she showed courage. She showed everything it takes for a person to get on in this world. And then she sadly lost her life on 24 April. She passed away in my arms and it's a moment I'll never forget.'
The former footballer said: 'One thing I will remember is every single day my daughter was fighting this disease, she smiled every day. She fought every day and she made the most of every single day. And that's a lesson I'll take through my life. She didn't have the chance in life that I've got, that we've all got and I definitely don't want waste mine. I want make to her proud. I want to show people that no matter what you go through in life, you can overcome anything.
'The day that my little girl was born was a moment that I'd been waiting for all my life. I couldn't have been a happier, prouder father and then all of a sudden things changed. When they told us that there was nothing more that they could do, it completely broke me.
'All I wanted to know at that point was that if she goes she will go in my arms and she will go peacefully. And at eight months old she passed away in mine and my partner's arms. I believe she had a peaceful transition to the other side."
Instructors Rudy Reyes and Mark 'Billy' Billingham were visibly affected by Ashley's account, as were viewers.
Claire Leeson wrote: "Sobbing at Ashley Cain talking about Azaylia." And Sophie tweeted: "I have nothing but respect for Ashley Cain" Shaz added: "What a man #ashleycain is absolutely sobbing right now."
Samantha Clarke tweeted: "So heartbreaking hearing Ashley Cain talk about his little baby, so much respect for him."
Another on social media said: "Ashley Cain recalling that tragic story is absolutely shattering." Matt Hayden added: "Ashley Cain talking about his daughter passing on SAS has absolutely shattered me."
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