REAL Full Monty star Ashley Cain has revealed the heartbreaking reason he refuses to shave off his beard.
The 33-year-old, who lost his eight-month-old daughter Azaylia from a rare form of leukaemia in 2021, is one of the famous faces taking part in the ITV show.
Ten celebrities, including Ashley, have bared all as part of the show to raise awareness of all types of cancer.
The dad bravely opened up about his heartache after losing Azaylia – and why he wants to keep his facial hair forever.
Ashley told the rest of the cast: “My beard was growing and Azaylia was growing, she used to hold onto it.
“She used to pull me in with it, she used to roll her toes through it and it was our little connection and I just kind of thought, she’s touched these very hairs on my face so I’m never going to cut them off.”
He added: “And this beard is my strength and regardless to whether people like it or they don’t, it’s going to stay on my face and it’s just a beautiful memory of the days that we used to laugh and we used to play.”
Ashley down in tears on the show as he revealed he ‘counted his daughter’s final breaths’.
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.”
Ashley shared Azaylia with his ex Safiyya Vorajee and they have set up The Azaylia Foundation in her legacy.
The little girl was diagnosed with leukaemia when she was just two months old.
The pair devastated after doctors found more tumours and were given the news that no parent wants to hear.
Earlier this month, Ashley shared the “guilt” he feels after revealing the news that he will become a dad again.
Ashley 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.”
