Ashley Cain has revealed that he wanted to 'find out who he was' during his 'tough and challenging' experience on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins - after his daughter Azaylia's death.

The ex-footballer, 31, believes that in order to 'combat trauma' you have to 'step out of your comfort zone' so when the opportunity came to do the show he 'took it with both hands'. 

Ashley's daughter Azaylia - who he shared with ex partner Safiyya Vorajee - died of leukaemia aged eight months in April 2021. 




Brave: Ashley Cain has revealed that he wanted to 'find out who he was' during his 'tough and challenging' experience on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins - after his daughter Azaylia's death

Speaking about why he put himself through the challenge he said: 'Well, it was very close to the passing of my daughter. Losing my daughter was the most difficult experience of my life. 

'I think to combat trauma you need to step outside your comfort zone and see who you really are. There's no better way to do that than on SAS Who Dares Wins, so when the opportunity came, I took it with both hands. 




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'I really wanted to find out who I was, so I wanted to see whether I could put my money where my mouth is.'

He continued: 'I said I was going to be strong for my daughter, and I was going to continue to fight for my daughter, I wanted to put that in action as soon as I possibly could.'




Tragic: Ashley's daughter Azaylia - who he shared with ex partner Safiyya Vorajee - died of leukaemia aged eight months in April 2021

Ashley added that he didn't want anyone to feel sympathy for him on the show due to what happened to his daughter and that he didn't get any special treatment.

The former sporting star explained: 'It was a great experience and you know what? I didn't want anybody to have sympathy for me because of what happened to my daughter, because that's our life. 

'No matter what happens to you in life, no one gives a fuck. No one gives a fuck about your excuses. No one gives a fuck about your problems. And that's what it was good for because I went in there and I didn't get any special treatment, I didn't get any sympathy. 

'I had to deal with my problems and I had to push through the pain and do what I had to do. And I think it was good for me. It was a very humbling experience. But it was also a very tough and challenging experience.'




Strength: The ex-footballer, 31, believes that in order to 'combat trauma' you have to 'step out of your comfort zone' so when the opportunity came to do the show he 'took it with both hands'

It comes after last week Ashley revealed that his 'pain is my power' as she told how he connects the most to his daughter when he's 'hurting', admitting he's 'cried everyday' since her tragic death.

Speaking during an appearance on Wednesday's Good Morning Britain, Ashley told how Azaylia's death has spurred him on during his very gruelling fundraising challenges.

Ashley recently ran five marathons in five days to raise money for The Azaylia Foundation - which helps children with serious illnesses to access treatment not readily available on the NHS. 

And amid these challenges, Ashely opened up on finding his strength from the love of his daughter, whom he sweetly described as his 'superpower'. 




Still close: Though the former Ex On The Beach star is no longer with Azaylia's mother Safiyya Vorajee, 34 (pictured together with their daughter) 

He said to hosts Kate Garraway and Robert Rinder: '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, because she was absolutely incredible, and she showed me the meaning of strength and courage.'




Heartbroken: Earlier this month, Ashley and Safiyya shared emotional tributes to their late daughter Azaylia on her second 'heavenly' birthday

As he continued to grieve her loss, Ashley went on to say of Azaylia: '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 spoke about the significance of his beard and shared the touching reason why he's refused to shave it off. 

He explained: '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.




So sad: Grieving father Ashley shared adorable snaps with his little girl and said 'I Love You ❤️ I Long For You' in a heartfelt post

'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.'

And though the former Ex On The Beach star is no longer with Azaylia's mother Safiyya Vorajee, 34, Asley revealed that they'd always be connected due to their daughter.






The star said: '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 can look after Azaylia's legacy.'

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins is back on Channel 4 on Sunday 4 September at 9pm