Ashley Cain and Safiyya stand at daughter Azaylia’s graveside in moving pictures from her funeral

ASHLEY Cain has spoken out for the first time following the funeral of his eight month old daughter Azaylia.

The devastated reality star described the day as the ‘hardest of his life’ as he shared a series of previously unseeen pictures from the moving event, which took place on Friday.

In an emotional statement, he told his followers: BEAUTIFUL, STRONG, COURAGEOUS, INSPIRATIONAL, FOREVER IN MY HEART 🧡.

“Friday was by far the most difficult day of my life. Laying to rest my beautiful daughter who had such a huge, positive and powerful impact on not only myself and my family, but the entire world. 💔

“Rest in eternal paradise princess. Daddy loves you forever and always! 👼🏼.”

The daughter of former Coventry City footballer and Ex On The Beach star Ashley and his partner Safiyya Vorajee passed away last month at just eight months old after suffering from an aggressive form of leukaemia.

Images from the funeral show the couple standing at their daughter's graveside and laying flowers on her coffin.

Ashley is seen carrying the coffin and later making a speech at the wake.

Safiyya also posted a number of images from Azaylia's special day and opened up about her heartache.

In an emotional post, she shared: "The toughest day of my life, was waking up Friday morning my heart sank 😔it was the day I had to say goodbye to my baby on earth 👼

"I was scared & heartbroken to say the least.

"Azaylia deserved to have the most beautiful send off we could give her, and we did that, we celebrated everything she loved because she is watching us, I wanted to do her proud 🧡."

Sharing more details from the day, she continued: "I did a speech and spoke about how u made me a women, u inspire me everyday Thankyou for teaching me unconditional love and so much more I’m so proud of you Azaylia your mummys hero🧡👼💎

"I was so nervous but I did the whole day in honour of you Azaylia I knew you was watching and I no you was proud 🧡

"We will be together one day for eternity, sleep tight princess mummy loves you with all my heart 🧡.(sic)"

The funeral saw hundreds of well-wishers line the streets for Azaylia’s funeral in her hometown of Nuneaton, Warwickshire.

Ashley and Safiyya had invited mourners to pay their respects to their daughter on the pre-arranged route of a cortege on Friday morning.

Among floral tributes in a hearse which accompanied a horse-drawn white carriage carrying Azaylia's coffin was one spelling out her name.

Many of those lining the route on Friday applauded as the hearse passed by, and orange ribbons had been tied to nearby railings.

On Friday evening the couple were joined by family and friends as they said their final goodbye to their girl with a wake to remember, featuring fireworks, huge floral displays and stunning balloons.

Images and videos from inside the party show the family coming together once again to remember Azaylia and create wonderful memories out of such dark times. 

Ashley was seen relaxing for the first time in weeks as he danced with friends and even cracked out ‘the worm’ at one point.

They held the party in a huge marquee decorated with a series of stunning balloons arches and flowers everywhere.

A steel band played to welcome the guests in as they partied late into the evening. 

The evening ended with an incredible fireworks display as the music from the Lion King played - music which the little girl loved.

The guests, who were dressed in black but with orange touches, shouted ‘lets go champ’ as the festivities closed.

A fundraiser to try to help save Azaylia's life through specialist cancer treatment had reached more than £1.5 million by the time she died.

Buildings and famous sites around the world, including Niagara Falls, were lit up in orange last month in support of Azaylia, and to raise awareness of acute myeloid leukaemia.