Ashley Cain breaks down in tears on Real Full Monty as he reveals he ‘counted daughter’s final breaths’

ASHLEY Cain broke down in tears as he recalled the death of his firstborn and admitted he tragically “counted her final breaths.”

The MTV alumni, 33, is doting dad to tot Azaylia, who died from a rare form of leukaemia aged eight months in 2021.

He opened up on his daughter’s passing on emotional ITV reality show, The Real Full Monty Christmas Special.

Viewers saw the reality TV star – who has since embarked on a number of charity missions in Azaylia’s name – with tears in his eyes as he spoke directly to camera.

He said: “One morning, me and Safiyya [his then-partner and Azaylia’s mum] just had a sense that it would be that morning.

“We wrapped our arms around Azaylia, and we counted her last breaths.”

He confessed he was “angry” and had “demons” about her premature passing and admitted he didn’t see “any point and reason” for him to exist.

Ashley added: “I just thought for once in my life because of her, I want to be the best person I can be.

“I want to achieve some amazing things cause I want her to know that it was because of her.”

At the time of Azaylia’s death, Ashley wrote on his Instagram page: “Rest in paradise princess. I will always hold you in my heart until I can hold you again in heaven.”

The Real Full Monty viewers were quick to show their emotion after he told his story.

One wrote on X: “Watching #therealfullmonty on #itv Ashley Cain always has me crying when it comes to his baby girl.”

Another said: “All these stories are so heartbreaking, they’re all truly so strong and inspirational!”

Ashley shared his tot with ex Safiyya Vorajee – with the little girl diagnosed with leukaemia just two months after her birth.

Following her passing, she added on Instagram: “You are my Angel my heartbeat my soul, RIP my precious baby, you will always be with me like a handprint on my heart.”

The parents had been left devastated after doctors found more tumours and ran out of options to save his baby girl who was battling a rare form of leukaemia.

For weeks, doctors have said the brave baby girl could only have “days to live”, but Ashley and Safiyya refused to give up hope.

Yet despite all the love and hope in the world the brave couple’s sweet baby was cruelly snatched away in the first year of her life.

Earlier this month, Ashley told of the “guilt” he feels after revealing he is set to become a dad for the second time.

Ashley will welcome a boy in January with his close friend – two years after his daughter’s death.

Ashley, who split from Azaylia’s mum Safiyya last year, told The Sun on Sunday: “When I think about being a daddy again and bringing my son into this world – obviously I do feel guilty because I wish and pray that Azaylia could be here as well.

“I know that Azaylia would have been the most incredible big sister in the world because she is a fighter – strong and courageous.”

Fighting back tears, he said: “It is tough. Life is tough and everyday for me is tough – as soon as he is old enough I want to take him down to Azaylia’s resting place. 

“I want him to know who his big sister is and I want him to understand what she has done for this world.”