ASHLEY Cain has welcomed an adorable new baby boy into the fold – yet his parenthood journey has been far from smooth.
The former footballer, 34, announced his new arrival, little Atlas, on Instagram this week alongside an adorable selection of snaps.
Yet despite the sheer happiness of the addition to his family, who will be a little brother to son Aliyas, was tinged with a bittersweet reference to his late daughter.
In his emotional caption Ashley wrote: “Atlas, you will always have the most beautiful, strong, and courageous guardian angel watching over you in your big sister, Azaylia.”
Here we take a look at the MTV star’s family life.
Ashley is dad to little girl Azaylia, who was born in August 2020.
The tot tragically died from a rare form of leukaemia aged eight months in 2021.
He shared his baby with ex Safiyya Vorajee – with the little girl diagnosed with just two months after her birth.
Ashley revealed his lasting feelings of grief on Good Morning Britain last year.
He admitted: “You can feel so lonely.
“Other times, you can feel so guilty.”
The reality TV star then broke down in tears as he told how he “counted her final breaths.”
Since then, the star has battled a number of endurance challenges in the tot’s name – keeping her at the heart of family life.
Ashley and Safiyya split in 2022 after the family tragedy.
Yet things became tricky in their family unit when Ashley told of the “guilt” he felt after he revealed he was to become a dad for the second time.
Safiyya then exclusively told The Sun that he stood at Azaylia’s grave and asked to have another baby.
In response, the Ex On The Beach alumni said “recollections may vary.”
Ashley revealed his first son’s arrival earlier this year.
When Aliyas was born, he confirmed that he was not in a relationship with his mother, but said that she was a “close friend.”
Welcoming his son into the world Ashley hinted at little Azaylia being his protector.
In his Instagram image caption, he wrote: “And you will have the most beautiful guardian angel heaven holds watching over you and protecting you too.
“Welcome to the world my son.”
It’s unclear if Aliyas and Atlas have the same mum.
Yet Ashley’s family welcomed a happy new arrival this week with the birth of his second son.He only announced last week he was set to become a dad for the third time.
Ashley said at the time: “My little girl will soon have another little brother to watch over, and my little boy will not only be a baby brother but a big brother too.
“With all the heartache I’ve been through, I’m truly grateful that I can really start counting my blessings again!!”
He told how the tot has arrived prematurely – and that he sadly missed the birth due to filming commitments.
In his caption, he wrote: “Atlas Diamond Cain – 29.11.24. Welcome to the world, my son!”
He continued: “When you rearrange your final two filming dates three times to make sure you’re back for your son’s birth, fully expecting him to be just like you – LATE.
“He surprises everyone by showing up a month early!
“Even though I’m absolutely gutted I couldn’t be there, my heart is bursting with love and excitement.
“I can’t wait to leave the danger zones behind and come home to the best welcome ever – hugs, kisses, and sleepy snuggles on the sofa with my beautiful baby boy.”
