Ashley Cain has spoken out after the BBC decided not to air the new series of Into the Danger Zone following the resurfacing of vile historic social media posts.
The second season of the documentary was filmed earlier this year.
However, BBC bosses have since confirmed they will not broadcast it.
The decision came after a number of offensive tweets previously posted by Ashley came back into the spotlight.
Reports claimed the former reality TV star posted sexist and misogynistic comments on Twitter, now known as X.
He has now addressed the controversy in a lengthy statement, admitting he is “not proud” of the language he used at the time.
Ashley Cain breaks silence after BBC documentary is axed
Ashley has shared a statement on Instagram after news emerged that Ashley Cain: Into the Danger Zone would not be airing.
He said: “You may have seen a recent article concerning language I used many years ago that I am not proud of.”
“I don’t deny it, I don’t excuse it and I certainly don’t condone it. The truth is, these comments were made over a decade ago by a younger version of myself who still had a lot of growing up to do.”
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Ashley said the tweets were posted during a difficult period in his life after an injury ended his hopes of becoming a professional footballer. He explained that he felt “lost” before being given a new opportunity through reality television.
Ashley appeared on MTV’s Ex On The Beach in 2014. According to The Guardian, the tweets were posted between 2011 and 2015. Alongside offensive remarks about women, some posts included jokes about violence towards them.
“I have always believed that accountability matters. We should all take responsibility for our actions, good or bad,” Ashley said in his statement.
“But I also believe in growth, in learning from our mistakes, and in proving through our actions that the person we once were does not have to be the person we remain.”
He also praised the women in his life and said he is now a “changed man” following the devastating loss of his daughter. Baby Azaylia died from cancer in 2021 at just eight months old.
Ashley added: “I cannot change what I said over a decade ago. What I can do is take responsibility for it.”
BBC issues statement on Ashley Cain: Into the Danger Zone
News that the BBC had pulled Ashley Cain: Into the Danger Zone broke on Friday evening. The series followed Ashley as he travelled to some of the world’s most dangerous cities and neighbourhoods.
During the programme, he met and interviewed men living on the fringes of society.
The BBC said in a statement: “The posts by Ashley Cain, albeit from many years ago, are completely unacceptable.
“The BBC has clear requirements around vetting and social media checks, which are undertaken by the production company.
“In this instance, the process clearly failed and we are investigating why. We are continuing to strengthen our processes to ensure everyone working for, and on behalf of, the BBC meets our values and standards.
“We have no plans to broadcast the new series of Into the Danger Zone, and no future projects with Ashley Cain.”
It is believed the BBC was unaware of the posts before it began working with Ashley.
ED! contacted Ashley’s representative for comment. Reports have since claimed the company has dropped Ashley from its books.
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