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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Lucy Needham & Vicki Newman

Ashley Cain and Safiyya Vorajee split a year after daughter Azaylia's tragic death

Ashley Cain and Safiyya Vorajee have split.

The sad news comes a year after the couple went through the heartbreak of losing their baby girl Azaylia to cancer at just eight months old.

Azaylia bravely battled against a rare form of leukaemia before tragically passing away in April last year.

Her parents have now decided to separate shortly before the one year anniversary of Azaylia's death on April 25.

Ashley posted on his Instagram story: "After a devastating and heartbreaking year, Safiyya and I decided to separate a few months ago.

"This was an incredibly tough decision which we needed to keep to ourselves for some time to give us the opportunity to figure out our own journey privately."

He continued: "The past few months have demonstrated that we remain the closest of friends, spending time together everyday, and that we will love, care and support each other forever.

"We are bonded by our powerful journey together, by the eternal love we have for our daughter, and our passionate commitment to her foundation."

Safiyya shared an almost identical statement on her own Instagram page.

Earlier this month Ashley paid tribute to Safiyya on International Women's Day, calling her 'fearless and strong'.

They've announced the end of their relationship (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

"I would like to shine light on the mother of my child. Someone who was fearless, strong, loving and caring every single day she stood by our daughters side during her battle.

"Someone who remains fearless, strong, loving and caring towards others despite our devastating loss, as a powerful advocate for childhood cancer and trustee of our beautiful daughters foundation.

"She is someone who wants to use her pain to make a difference in this world in the hope that others in the future won’t have to feel the same.

"I’m proud of everything that you have done and continue to do," he penned.

Ashley and Safiyya have been open about their struggles with the loss of their baby girl (ITV)

Little Azaylia tragically died when she was just eight months old.

She'd been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a type of cancer, when she was just eight weeks old and fought bravely before sadly losing her battle in April last year.

Ashley and Safiyya set up a charity in memory of their daughter, and The Azaylia Cain Foundation aims to support families and provide memorable experiences for children fighting cancer.

Safiyya is also helping others with her book, Loving and Losing You, Azaylia, which she's releasing next month.

Azaylia died at just 8 months (mrashleycain/Instagram)

Sharing it with her followers, she wrote: "This is a project so close to my heart

"For a while now I've been working on a special book telling my story and honouring my little hero, Azaylia. The finished cover is finally here and I couldn’t be prouder!

"I can't wait for you to read it when it comes out in April"

The covers features a beautiful photograph of Safiyya kissing Azaylia and also carries the tag line: "My inspirational daughter and our unbreakable bond".

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