These 7 Cane Ashby moments from The Young and The Restless reflect why the character has a huge fan base

The Young and The Restless is one of the most famous soap operas and is created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell. Set in the fictional Genoa City, the show has been airing since 1973. One of the most famous characters from the show is Cane Ashby. The loyalty and dedication that Cane showed as a character, made him many fans on the show. His romantic storyline with Lily Winters was much-loved by the fans. Therefore, here are 7 such moments when Cane Ashby proved why he was one of the most popular characters on The Young and The Restless.

Disclaimer: This entire article is based on the writer's opinion. Readers' discretion is advised.

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Cane’s marriage to Lily, Cane’s fight for custody of his twins, and other moments from The Young and The Restless, which made Cane Ashby a fan-favorite

1. Cane fakes his death to protect Lily

The love between Cane and Lily is eternal, and if there is any moment from The Young and The Restless, that cements Cane Ashby’s fan base, then it is the show’s dramatic arc where Cane Ashby seemingly dies to protect his love. During a confrontation with his twin brother, Caleb, Cane fakes his death in front of Lily. However, Cane did all of this to bring down his corrupt family, the Atkinsons and was alive and working undercover. While the moment was heartbreaking for Lily and the fans at the time, the reveal of Cane actually being alive was loved by fans. Cane was willing to shatter Lily’s heart temporarily so that he could protect her from danger. His sacrificing nature made him thousands of fans, and it is Cane’s moral complexity in The Young and The Restless, that makes him such a famous character. The moment established him as someone who fought hard for what he believed in and could go to any lengths for his love. Even though some fans were conflicted about Cane’s choice to fake his own death, his intentions won people over, and the twist revitalized viewers’ interest in the show and made Cane Ashby one of the most loved characters on the show, who could also provide thrilling moments.

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2. The wedding in France

One of the most iconic moments from the history of The Young and The Restless, the long-awaited marriage between the popular couple, Cane and Lily, was watched by thousands of fans and loved by all. The wedding was set against the romantic backdrop of the Eiffel Tower and Paris, and the City of Love looked stunning as the favorite pair said their vows. Not only did the moment feel well-earned after the whole will-they-won’t-they journey between Cane Ashby and Lily, but it also brought out the vulnerable side of Cane. Despite all the past complications that the couple faced, Cane and Lily, also known as “Lane”, found their way back to each other, and even Cane’s secret identity couldn’t keep the two lovers apart. The two also navigated constant interference from family members like Jill and Neil. However, despite all the personal challenges, Cane Ashby and Lily were together. Cane’s vows were full of sincerity, and this proved that in the end, Cane was a man who wanted love and stability. He truly cherished Lily in the episode, and the whole moment was intimate and emotional. This moment from The Young and The Restless is so iconic that it is often listed as one of the best weddings in soap history.

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3. The reveal that he is not Jill’s son

The fans of The Young and The Restless were shocked when it was revealed that Cane was not the son of Jill, who had fought so hard to get her “son” back. The surprise moment was one of Cane Ashby’s earliest defining arcs on the show, and the twist not only shook Genoa City, but it also had major emotional consequences for everyone and the fans. It is also one of those moments that made Cane Ashby unique and different from just another romantic lead. Even though his world came crashing down, Cane Ashby revealed a humbled and grounded side of him to his fans. He wasn’t the schemer and was caught up in a lie created by others. However, Cane keeps calm and proves that he just wants to find belonging and love. Fans admired how maturely Cane handled the situation, and his relationship with Jill evolved over time to prove that relationships are more than just DNA. The moment made Cane Ashby relatable and sympathetic, and it proved that he was more than a romantic hero and was actually a man struggling to find his place in the world. The whole arc is one of the defining moments of Cane’s character in The Young and The Restless, and viewers became a fan of him even more after this storyline.

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4. Taking responsibility for his family with Juliet

Even though Cane Ashby and Lily were the couple that fans loved, there were moments in their marriage that threatened their love. One of the key moments in The Young and The Restless happened when Cane reached a low point and had a drunken one-night stand with his colleague Juliet, during a business trip in Tokyo. This moment could have very well made Cane a villain in the fans’ eyes. However, unlike other soap characters who run from their mistakes, Cane showed integrity by facing the consequences, even though his marriage to Lily reached a turning point. He didn’t hide, lie, or villainize Juliet, and Cane owned up to what he did and accepted the child as his. Further, he even tried to do right by both Juliet and Lily. Fans were heartbroken to see his family fall apart, but many admired his accountability. This was an important moment in The Young and The Restless as it humanized Cane and showed the viewers that he also had flaws but was not malicious. He showcased his human side when he felt bad for Juliet dying in childbirth and stepped up to raise his son, Sam, which proved to be Cane’s redemption arc in the show. The moment was messy but emotionally charged and underscored why Cane Ashby continued to draw viewers’ loyalty.

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5. His role in the Chancellor legacy

One of the most defining moments in Cane Ashby’s character arc in The Young and The Restless was when Cane became a pivotal figure in the Chancellor family. However, all of this came at a cost. He was not a blood relative and therefore, he had to work hard to carve a name for himself. After Katherine Chancellor’s death, Jill and Cane worked closely to preserve the legacy of Chancellor Industries. Even though Cane became CEO, there were frequent clashes with Billy and others, and Cane Ashby had to always earn his spot. What made Cane’s hard work memorable for the fans was that he had respect for Katherine, he worked on his partnership with Jill, and he had a relentless drive to prove himself. Therefore, his arc made him relatable. Viewers appreciated how he never relied on shortcuts, and Cane constantly worked hard to earn the trust and acceptance of a family that initially viewed him as an outsider. In a world where it is easy to inherit a legacy, Cane fought endlessly to carve one out for himself. This era of Cane’s story deepened his character as there was more to him beyond his romantic entanglements, and the viewers got to see his business acumen, resilience, and evolving sense of identity. It proved that he was more than just a love interest in The Young and The Restless.

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6. Fighting for custody of the twins

Most male characters in soap operas are known to focus more on affairs and business than on fatherhood. However, Cane Ashby shone differently as he fought relentlessly for the custody of his twins, Charlie and Mattie. When Cane and Lily’s marriage in The Young and The Restless hit a rough patch, there was a memorable custody battle over the twins. This moment pushed Cane into another emotionally charged storyline. Even though Lily’s feelings were valid as a mother and her concerns over Cane’s secrets and mistakes, the desperation with which Cane displayed his love for his children was also heartening to watch. The courtroom scenes were filled with raw emotion as Cane Ashby proved how much fatherhood meant to him. The story arc, therefore, underscored why Cane was such a favorite among fans. Cane wasn’t just fighting for custody; he was fighting for the chance to be better and to show that despite his past mistakes, he was a present and loving dad. Cane’s vulnerability in this entire track made him a favorite among fans. Also, the fact that it was rare to see a father struggle so much to be present in his children’s lives was another reason why Cane was loved by the fans of The Young and The Restless. The fight wasn’t about ego or revenge; it was about family. It made Cane one of the few male characters on the show who consistently put parenting above power.

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7. The final goodbye with Lily

One of the most tear-jerking moments on the show was when Cane and Lily shared their final goodbye on The Young and The Restless. Viewers had spent years following the love story between Cane Ashby and his love, Lily, and it was finally time to let them go. When Lily decided to move on with her life and pursue her career outside Genoa City, it marked the end of an era. Their goodbye scenes were memorable as they were restrained and bittersweet, unlike the explosive finales of other soap couples. Most importantly, Cane showed maturity by not begging or manipulating. He accepted Lily’s decision, wished her well, and acknowledged the love they’d shared. It was an emotionally mature farewell that honored everything the couple had been through. Fans who had been diehard fans of the Lane relationship saw this as a respectful and realistic end. The ending between the two was painful but dignified and highlighted the love between the two. And it reminded audiences that Cane, for all his mistakes, knew when to let go. The moment is still one of the most cherished moments in the history of The Young and The Restless, and fans still swoon over the love of Cane and Lily.