Ashley Cain has broken his silence after the BBC removed him from presenting duties over 'unacceptable' sexist and misogynistic tweets. The 35-year-old former Ex on the Beach star took to Instagram to address his 'community', stating he does not deny or excuse the comments, which were made over a decade ago.
BBC drops Cain from future projects
The BBC confirmed it has 'no plans' to broadcast the second series of Into the Danger Zone and no future projects with Cain. The decision followed revelations by The Guardian of historic posts where Cain used offensive language about women, including 'jokes' about hitting and slapping women and blurring consent lines.
Cain's X account, from which the comments originated, has since been deactivated.
Cain's statement: accountability and growth
In a lengthy Instagram post, Cain wrote: 'I don’t deny it. I don’t excuse it. and I certainly don’t condone it.' He explained the tweets were made by a 'younger version of myself who still had a lot of growing up to do.' He added: 'I cannot change the past, and truthfully, I have never tried to hide from it. I have always believed that accountability matters.'
Cain reflected on feeling 'lost, frustrated and unsure' after his football career ended due to injury, and how reality TV gave him a 'second chance' but led him to develop a 'provocative personality.' He stressed: 'None of that excuses the things I said, but it is part of the truth of where I was and who I was becoming.'
Impact of daughter's death
Cain highlighted the 'incredible women' in his life — his mother, nan, auntie, and sister — who taught him respect. He said the death of his daughter Azaylia in 2021 from leukaemia changed him 'forever'. The family faced 'mocking' and death threats during that time, which felt 'unbearable', but he chose to grow and let go of anger.
Concluding, Cain wrote: 'Every day I wake up, I can choose the man I want to be, and I can choose the impact I want to have on those around me.' The post received support from his ex-partner Safiyya, despite their split.
