SHE has spent the past few weeks on a journey of self discovery in Bali. Travelling alone, Safiyya Vorajee did yoga classes and visited temples – coming away with a new sense of peace.
But that newfound tranquillity was shattered as a series of allegations about her ex partner , 35, emerged.
Safiyya Vorajee has sent shockwaves amongst her inner circle as she supported ex Ashley Cain Credit: instagram/miss_safiyya_
Ashley was accused of using explicit sexual and misogynistic language to describe women online in historical social media posts Credit: BBC
The TV host was accused of using abusive and sexist language to describe women in historical social media posts, with the BBC saying it had no plans to air his latest series.
And while many assumed Safiyya would ignore it, she sent shockwaves through her followers and inner circle as she publicly spoke out to support him, gushing about how proud she was of him – despite the seriousness of the claims against him.
Now, those close to the 38-year-old have revealed their concerns about her continued interest in her controversial ex, and have begged her to “ditch him” once and for all.
Our insider said: “It was a real surprise when she chose to publicly support him but many of us suspect that Ashley asked her to get involved.
Pals are worried about the loyalty Safiyya has shown Credit: Dan Charity / Newsgroup Newspapers Ltd
The BBC said it has ‘no plans’ to broadcast the new series of his documentary Credit: BBC
“From the very beginning, Safiyya has been very loyal to him and he knows that and he’s well aware that the optics of having her on side is good for him.
“But it’s worrying for everyone because she’s in such a good place now and doesn’t need to be dragged down into that negativity again.
“It was very toxic between them at times – even before everything that happened with their beautiful daughter and many of us feel like it would be better if they just cut ties.”
Safiyya had known Ashley for years before they became a couple in 2017.
They didn’t know if they would work romantically at first, and she later admitted she put him on a 90 day test to see if he could curb his partying. He passed.
When they fell pregnant in 2020, they were over the moon – Ashley in particular was very keen to become a father.
Nothing could have prepared them for what happened when Azaylia was born and they discovered, at just eight weeks old, how sick she was. She was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a rare and highly aggressive form of blood cancer.
From that moment on the couple dedicated their lives to trying to save her, but just eight months later she passed away.
Saffiya insisted she’s ‘knows Ashley’s not proud of the words he’s spoken in the past’ Credit: Getty
Safiyya and Ashley lost their daughter Azaylia after a battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia Credit: miss_safiyya_/Instagram
As Ashley went into campaign mode, Safiyya stayed at home and became sadder and sadder.
Our source, who had an insight into their life at the time, revealed concerns for the heartbroken mum.
They said: “The distance between the couple became obvious as they navigated grief so differently.
“While he was off doing various challenges, she’d often be on Instagram live in the evenings ignoring the relentless ‘why aren’t you with Ashley?’ questions.
“There were whispers that she had become isolated from her family members at this time too.”
Last year she reflected how they had been on different pages and said: “I was like ‘lets ride through this together’ and he had his own protective armour around him and the feelings and pain he was in, he couldn’t navigate it.
“I kind of waited for him but he ended up drinking quite a lot and going down that road. I’m not someone who really drinks and I needed him but he needed to be by himself. There is no right and wrong with grief.”
In the end the relationship ended and he moved out of the family home in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.
“He’d had a drink, it was quick and brutal. He said he couldn’t do it any more,” she said in December 2023 once it was over.
Ashley left Safiyya in shock when he told her he was having a child with someone else Credit: Instagram
The influencer said her ‘eyes are open’ after Ashley welcomed a baby with a blonde woman from Leamington Spa Credit: Dan Charity
Our insider explained in a lot of ways ‘Safiyya feels quite stuck when it comes to Ashley’ Credit: instagram/miss_safiyya_
They remained close though and would often meet at their daughter’s “garden” at the cemetery and say prayers.
It was on one of these visits that Ashley suggested they have another baby together.
Safiyya recalled: “When he asked me, it was the moment I’d been waiting for. I sighed with relief that we could reunite and have a family again. It was at Azaylia’s garden, in front of our daughter, such a precious, safe space for us.”
“He said, ‘I don’t want another baby with another woman’, and asked if we could have one together. I couldn’t speak, the tears were rolling down my face.
“Over the coming weeks I then waited for him to say, ‘Shall we get back together’. I truly thought he would, I thought he was just taking things step by step.
“But then, out of the blue, he told me he was having a child with someone else.
“It was like a hurricane had hit me. I am shocked.”
In January 2024, three years after Azaylia died Ashley announced he was a dad again.
Ashley announced he had become a dad again in Jan 2024 -three years after Azaylia’s death Credit: Roland Leon
The former couple has maintained a good relationship since the split Credit: Damien McFadden
He had been secretly seeing a friend he had known since he was 18, Lauren Poole from Dudley, West Mids, but they were no longer together.
Just ten months after Aliyas was born, he welcomed a third child – Atlas, sparking widespread confusion.
Many assumed it must have been with Lauren, but it was in fact another woman, a stunning blonde from Leamington Spa.
It seemed to be the closure Safiyya needed and she said: “My eyes have been opened. I’m going to stop being a shadow of myself and give myself the love and kindness I deserve.
“I hope by admitting this has brought me such embarrassment that it helps other women going through pain too.”
But last month it became clear that she still holds him in high regard.
Our insider explained: “In a lot of ways Safiyya feels quite stuck when it comes to Ashley.
“They are bonded by their trauma but aside from that Saff feels like she owes loyalty to Ashley because of the way that he’s helped her through certain things.
“She knows that at the moment being associated to him could cause problems and even limit the amount of work she gets but, she would be incredibly reluctant to cut ties all together.”
After years of trying to rebuild his public images, last week Ashley was accused of using explicit sexual and misogynistic language to describe women online in historical social media posts, the BBC said it has “no plans” to broadcast the new series of his documentary and had “no future projects” with him.
Twitter posts made by Cain in 2011 and 2013 are said to have referenced extreme sex acts and appeared to make light of consent.
Derogatory terms allegedly written in 2014 and 2015 include “s**gs”, “b***hes” and “psychos”, while he said he’d like to “choke slam” and “spit in the face” of star Jessica Hayes while commenting on the reality show.
The Guardian reports that other misogynistic tweets saw him say he wanted to “talcum powder pimp slap these b***es already!” while watching a documentary and also writing: “I DO NOT.. I repeat I DO NOT think EVERY girl is a sl**! There are some absolute PHENOMENAL women out there.. They’re just a rare commodity.”
In 2015, Cain was accused of recording Rachel Roftis, 33, during sex and sharing clips to without her consent — something he strongly denied.
The pair met at a club in Bexleyheath before spending the night together in a hotel.
Roftis told The Guardian she “screamed” at Cain when she realised the footage had been shared publicly, and the incident has “massively affected her relationships with men. She doesn’t trust anybody really now”.
Ashley penned an apology on , addressing “language I used many years ago that I am not proud of”.
Cain blamed the loss of his football career as one of the factors which caused him to feel “lost, frustrated and unsure of where my life was heading”.
He went on: “The reality is that growth doesn’t happen overnight. It happens through experience.
“Through mistakes. Through hardship. Through being forced to look in the mirror and ask yourself whether you’re willing to become better.
And at the top of his comments came one from Saff – she gushed: “I’ve seen how much life has changed you over the years Ash. I know you’re not proud of the words you’ve spoken in the past, and I know they don’t reflect the man you are today.”
“I’ve seen the father you’ve been to our beautiful daughter, the love you’ve carried for her, and the way you’ve dedicated so much of your life to honouring her legacy and helping others because of it.
“None of us can change the past, but we can choose who we become because of it, and your (sic) doing really well. I’m proud of you. Sending you love and strength.”
It was an incredibly generous thing to do considering their tumultuous past and a surprising move.
Our insider added: “Saf is in the best place she has been for a very long time, she clearly forgives him for what has happened. There are, however, people gently suggesting that the sooner she separates herself from him the better.”
A rep for Saff said: “This article is completely untrue and incorrect.”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
