Ashley Cain has revealed he was caught in a terrifying shoot-out in Brazilwhile filming for his new BBC show, Into The Danger Zone, which saw him take cover to avoid flying bullets.
Ashley Cain has revealed he risked his life while filming his new BBC show, Into The Danger Zone, as he was caught in an unexpected shoot-out while in Brazil.
During an exclusive interview, Ashley – who recently became a dad for the third time – told Mirror: “There was a shootout in Brazil when we were on patrol, which was incredibly scary because one minute everything was fine and we were laughing, then the next minute you heard bullets and, ‘Bang, bang!’
“When it gets like that, you’ve got no plan. You just get behind the wall and hope the bullets don’t come to you.” Ashley was spending time in the South American country for the new documentary, which sees him visit some of the world’s most dangerous places to investigate issues that affect young men born into a life of criminality.
Not one to run away from dangerous situations, Ashley says he got more than stuck in while filming in the off-grid locations. He continued, “There were a lot of epic moments too. I went hunting with the Zulu people in South Africa, which was amazing. I knew we weren’t going to be able to get an interview watching them from the hillside so I chose to run along with them. I thrive off getting out of my comfort zone.
“There were a lot of moments that you felt like you were in real danger, but they ended up being some of the best of the series. You got to see and feel what these guys’ lives are like every day.”
Admitting he can relate to some of their struggles, Ashley continued, “I grew up suffering from racism and not fitting in, so I wanted to go to these places with an open mind and try to understand what life’s like for them. I want to truly understand the world I’m raising my sons in and be compassionate.
“I don’t think they expected to see a mixed-race guy with tattoos who was going to approach them with genuine love, genuine energy, without fear and allow them to speak.”
Ashley is doting dad to two sons; Atlas and Alayis, and late daughter Azaylia, who passed away following a battle with Luekemia at just eight months old in 2021. Since Azaylia’s passing, Ashley has taken on a number of strength and endurance challenges in her memory, including an “Ultraman” challenge which saw him running, cycling, and kayaking the length of the UK three times.
But telling us he’s taking a step back from the tough feats for this year, Ashley explained: “For the last three and a half years, people don’t see how hard I worked. Last year, I was training from five to seven hours a day for seven days a week, as well as working, travelling and having my newborn son.
“I wanted to do another challenge this year but my coach said it would be 25 to 30 hours a week training and it’s not physically possible with my documentary series, other projects and my two beautiful little boys.
“I’m trying to focus on my children and that part of my legacy. While I’m still focused on building a legacy for my daughter in heaven, I need to build one for my sons here on Earth. I miss them when I’m away and my safe space is my family – I love my home and my family and spending every second of time I get free with them.
“But I won’t be taking too long off because it makes me feel guilty. There’s not a lot – or anything – you can do when you lose a child, but raising money and doing challenges is something.”
Ashley Cain: Into The Danger Zone begins on Tuesday 1 April at 9pm on BBC Three