Former Ex on the Beach star Ashley Cain and his ex-partner Safiyya Vorajee lost their daughter to cancer four years ago and the pair still struggling with grief
Ashley Cain remembers daughter Azaylia over Easter as he spots a Robin
TV star Ashley Cain has shared an emotional tribute to his daughter Azaylia on the fourth anniversary of her death, which he has described as “the final thing” he could do for her. The Ex on the Beach star, 33, posted two heartbreaking images on Instagram: one showing baby Azaylia with a feeding tube attached to her nose, and the other of her grave.
Ashley and his ex-partner Safiyya Vorajee have unveiled their late daughter’s headstone and a heartbreaking tribute written on it, in a heartbreaking ‘final at’ and tribute to the tot.
He wrote: “For four years, I’ve lived in fear of this very moment, As a parent, you never, ever want to reach the day where this becomes the final thing you can do for your child.
“But today, on Azaylia’s 4th anniversary, through the numbing guilt and the devastating pain… I feel an overwhelming sense of pride.”
Azaylia deid in 2021 at just eight months old after a harrowing battle with leukaemia. Her parents, Ashley and Safiyya Vorajee, documented their extraordinary efforts to try and save her life – including raising £1.5 million to fly her to Singapore for specialist treatment.
Sadly further complications with her cancer prevented the trip and, shortly after being taken off her pain medication, little Azaylia died in her parents’ arms.
TV star Ashley admitted that this tribute post “took four years to write” because it is so painful for the dad to reflect on his loss. He added: “These words… will never be enough to say who you are, or what you’ve done for me as your father.
“They’ll never come close to expressing the enormity of your strength, your courage, your beauty, and your purity. Or the profound impact you’ve had on this world and its people.”
He received a wave of support from followers who were touched by Azaylia’s story. One person wrote: “My thoughts and deepest sympathies to you and your family today Ash.” Another added: “Beautiful. You and Azaylia are so loved. She is always in our hearts.”
Many of Ashley’s supporters likely remember the funeral procession he and Safiyya held for her in Nuneaton back in 2021, where mourners flooded the streets to pay their respects. Her tiny coffin was carried in a horse-drawn white carriage, and her parents released orange balloons into the sky as a symbolic act.
Ashley and Safiyya were visibly heartbroken during the procession, walking behind the carriage with personalised umbrellas before joining a car filled with floral arrangements, photos, and cuddly toys.
In his post this week, Ashley described Azaylia as “one of Earth’s most beautiful little princesses, and one of Heaven’s most beloved angels”, writing that she “now has a special crown worthy enough to hold her story”.
“I miss you with a pain that never fades,” he added, “and I love you with a strength that will never end. Forever, with every piece of me – Daddy.” Safiyya previously penned her own tribute, saying: “You are my Angel, my heartbeat, my soul… You will always be with me like a handprint on my heart.”
Since Azaylia’s passing, Ashley has dedicated himself to keeping her memory alive. The former reality star launched The Azaylia Foundation to support families fighting childhood cancer. He has now also welcomed a baby boy, Aliyas, with a new partner.
If you wish to talk to someone about cancer, you can phone Cancer Research UK on 0300 1231022, with opening hours from 8am–6pm, Monday–Friday, or email on supporter.services@cancer.org.uk
