Ashley Cain reflected on having his 'first conversation' with his late baby daughter as he shared a sweet throwback video to Instagram on Monday. 

The footballer, 32, and his ex partner Safiyya, 33, tragically lost their baby girl Azaylia when she was just eight months old, after a battle with leukaemia.

Ashley said he is 'OK' with 'giving up' the festivities because he has enough memories from his daughter which 'will last a lifetime'. 

The sportsman can be seen beaming at the camera saying in French, 'Excuse moi', before showing Azaylia lying on a blanketed baby mat surrounded by soft toys. 

Ashley seemed every inch the dotting dad as he couldn't contain his smile while his late daughter laughed with joy as he played with her. 

Excited by Azaylia's reaction, Ashley said to the camera: 'That's the best Christmas present ever. Omg.' 

In the clip, Azaylia was wearing donned a tiny Christmas jumper while her dad kept casual in a orange baseball cap and T-shirt. 

He penned to the video: 'Throwback to the best Christmas present ever - our first conversation. 

'Giving up my Christmas’s going forward is OK, because the memories from this one will last me a lifetime.

'Azaylia - Your life will continue to change the world my angel.' 

In April, Ashley marked the first anniversary of daughter Azaylia's death by purchasing 365 white roses to lay at her graveside.

The former Ex On The Beach star revealed the enormous bouquet in an Instagram post at the time, shortly after completing a 100 mile charity run on behalf of the trust set up in her name.

The 24-hour run came to an end in London's Trafalgar Square in April, and Ashley confirmed the flowers were purchased shortly afterwards.

He wrote: 'I bought 365 white roses to be delivered to Azaylia's resting place on the Sunday we got to Trafalgar Square - a rose for every day we have missed her.'

Ashley broke down in tears as he completed a 100 mile run to honour the one year anniversary of his daughter's death to leaukemia.

He was greeted by hundreds of adoring fans and family members cheering 'that's our champ' at Trafalgar Square in London after the 24 hour challenge.

Ashley took on the mammoth task to raise money for the family's charity, The Azaylia Foundation - which helps children with serious illnesses to access treatment not readily available on the NHS.