Ashley Cain says his heart is ‘broken beyond repair’ on first Father’s Day after daughter Azaylia’s death

Ashley Cain has shared a heartbroken message on his first Father’s Day since the death of his eight-month-old daughter Azaylia, who died of a rare and aggressive form of leukemia in April.

The Ex on the Beach star marked the day he would have spent with his baby by sharing a previously unseen video on Instagram.

In the sweet footage taken in hospital during her cancer battle, Ashley sings and dances to Can’t Believe It by T-Pain as Azaylia laughs and smiles. In a further clip, also filmed in hospital, Ashley tells his daughter: ‘Good afternoon princess. She’s given me the best sleep last night. You just slept and slept last night.

‘We both had a lie in didn’t we? Yeah we did. Look at you now, looking great, refreshed, revitalised and ready to battle another day, yeah. Let’s go champ.’

The reality TV star said his heart was ‘broken beyond repair’ on Father’s Day, confessing he had trouble sleeping knowing what occasion it was on Sunday.

Ashley wrote: ‘One of the things that I miss the most about Azaylia, is our sleepovers at the hospital. The feeling when I woke up next to her in the morning, drew the blinds and seen her beautiful face with that incredible smile was magical. The fact I’d been gifted another day with the love of my life, when no day was promised, was euphoric and indescribable. ✨

‘First thing, we used to set the tempo for the rest of the day. It was important to start the day off right with positive vibes, good energy and endless amounts of appreciation. Despite what Azaylia was going through, she would ALWAYS greet me with the most overwhelming energy and stunning smile, which gave me all the strength and courage I needed to fuel my mind, heart and spirits through another day battling by her side. 💯

‘Azaylia seemed to be able to lift the spirits of anyone in her presence and especially me because of her sheer strength, great hearted bravery and beautifully bright ora. When I thought I had to be strong for her, it turned out she was the source of my strength. When I thought I needed to be brave for her, she was the reason for my courage. When I thought she needed to see me smiling and positive, she was always my inspiration. & when I thought I needed to give it 100 to fight by her side everyday, she was already giving 120! 🦁’

He continued: ‘If I could pick any 8 months of my life to relive, it would begin on the 10.08.20. Azaylia made the hardest and most devastating time any parent could go through, without question, the BEST days of my life! A time where I’d give up the remaining years of mine in a split second, to experience it with her again. ❤️

‘Azaylia Diamond Cain – You’re the most amazing daughter any daddy could wish for and I miss you so much. Even though my heart is broken beyond repair, I feel incredibly blessed to be your daddy and HONOURED to be lucky enough to to call you my daughter. You changed my life, you saved my life and you MADE my life. I LOVE YOU CHAMP – MY HERO!’

The grieving father, who shares Azaylia with girlfriend Safiyya Vorajee, recently had a special blanket made with his daughter’s face on it so he could see her when he made the bed every day.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Stranger Things’ David Harbour teases ‘definite ending’ in Season 4

MORE : Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield ‘on brink of tears’ every day on This Morning