Ellie Goulding has split from the hunky surf instructor she sought comfort from after her marriage came to an end, can reveal.
Ellie struck up a relationship with Armando Perez – who is eight years her junior – after he gave her surfing lessons as she rang in the New Year in Costa Rica.
The 37-year-old singer then repeatedly jetted out to see her toyboy lover in the following months – but now their fling has finally fizzled out, say friends.
One said: ‘Amando and Ellie were very attracted to one another. Despite the age gap, they struck up an instant chemistry when he gave her private surfing lessons.
‘They soon formed a bond and loved spending time together – Ellie loved hanging out on the beach with Armando to get away from everything that was going on back home after her marriage had come to an end.
Ellie Goulding has split from boyfriend Armando Perez, can reveal. Friends of the pair say that their holiday romance has fizzled and that they had very different lives
Pictures taken in February showed Ellie frolicking around in the sea with Armando – prompting the star to put out a statement confirming that her marriage to Casper Jopling was over
Ellie met Armando while she was on a friends’ holiday in Costa Rica over New Year. Here she was pictured looking relaxed sunbathing with Armando before their surfing lesson
Ellie and her estranged husband, Caspar Jopling, confirmed their split in February this year
Armando, 29, was used to spending his days instructing in the water and running around barefoot in swim shorts, and was more comfortable enjoying his ‘quiet life’ without the ‘drama’ of being in the public eye, the source added.
‘They had a very special time together and she visited the country a lot.
‘But they are from very different backgrounds. She is a big pop star from England while Armando’s whole life is based here in Playa Hermosa. He loves it here and I doubt he would have any plans to leave.
‘Their lives are very different and so it was natural for them both to eventually move on.
‘But they still remain great friends.’
The couple met at the turn of the year when Ellie had gone to the Central American beach resort for a yoga and surf retreat with two close friends – actresses Emily Wickersham and Alessandra Ford Balazs – where they rented a swanky hillside villa.
The holiday was a break for Ellie after she had in private separated from her art dealer husband Caspar Jopling, 31.
The holiday was a break for Ellie after she had in private separated from her art dealer husband Caspar Jopling, 31.
During the holiday she met Perez after taking surf lessons – and when pictures emerged of them in swimsuits kissing passionately in the sea, Ellie then took the decision to make public that her five-year marriage to Jopling had previously come to an end.
Confirming the end of her marriage on Instagram, the musician wrote: ‘In light of recent stories, I feel I have been left with no choice but to let you all know that Caspar and I privately separated some time ago.
Despite their eight-year age gap, sources say there was an obvious chemistry between Ellie and her surf instructor boyfriend from the beginning as they were pictured in Costa Rica
Such was the attraction between the British pop star and her Costa Rican surf instructor that she flew to the central American country no fewer than six times in five months to see him
On one of those trips, Ellie and Armando were pictured walking along the coastline near Santa Teresa in May. A source told that their friendship has simply fizzled out
Armando (left) and his brother Gero run the $70-a-night La Puente Surfhouse and hostel on the west coast of the Central American paradise that Ellie has visited a number of times this year
‘We remain the closest of friends and have been successfully co-parenting with our son’s best interests at heart.’
In the months that followed this announcement Ellie repeatedly flew thousands of miles to Playa Hermosa – a long stretch of coast known as a surfer’s paradise – to holiday with her toyboy lover.
According to the El Observador newspaper, she made this trip as many as six times over just five months, typically staying a week at a time, sometimes longer.
During these trips Mr Perez gave Ms Goulding further private surfing lessons, and they were also seen running on the beach together, swimming and relaxing shopping and dining out.
On one date they were pictured walking down the beach for sunset surfs together, with him holding her around the waist as they laughed together.
In a statement in February, the musician wrote: ‘In light of recent stories, I feel I have been left with no choice but to let you all know that Caspar and I privately separated some time ago’
Her estranged husband Casper, a wealthy art dealer, added: Ellie and I remain the closet of friends and most importantly ‘co-parents’ to the best kiddo in the world, Arthur’
Ellie and Caspar married in August 2019 at York Minster – but their marriage is now over
The singer also shared several snaps of herself on her Instagram on these trips, on the beach in Playa Hermosa or exploring the Costa Rican rainforest inland.
Ms Goulding was also said to be writing and recording music on these trips as she unwound.
During these months, Mr Perez is understood to have also visited her in London on at least one occasion, reportedly watching her perform to a live crowd from backstage.
But since the summer, Ms Goulding, who recently released a new album, has not returned to Costa Rica.
A local said: ‘Their lives are very different so it was natural that the relationship would run its course.
‘Ellie is a pop star with global fame. But Armando’s whole life is based around Playa Hermosa. He loves it here and I doubt he would want to leave for good.’
Mr Perez, who spends most of his days on the water and running around barefoot in swim shorts, enjoys his ‘quiet life’ without the ‘drama’ of being in the public eye, they added.
Since announcing their split, which is expected to culminate in formal divorce, Ellie and Mr Jopling have appeared to remain on good terms and are understood to be happily co-parenting their three-year-old son Arthur.
The pair were married five years ago surrounded by celebrity friends including Sienna Miller, Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry.
They went on to welcome the birth of their son in April 2021.
Mr Perez runs the well-regarded La Puente Surfhouse with his brother Gero, with the family having grown up in a nearby wooden house surrounded by trees.
The bio on his website reads: ‘The waves of Playa Hermosa are my home and I am a very good host. As a surf instructor I will lead you step by step to the line-up and guarantee you at least one ‘wave of the day’.
Ellie was pictured living it up in Costa Rica as she enjoyed a winter getaway with pals on the trip that she first met the hunky surf instructor who she would visit at least another six times
‘Together we read the sea until you understand it for yourself.’
While the surf hostel is currently under renovation both of the tall, tanned and chiselled brothers still offer private lessons to anyone interested.
Mr Perez’s other clients have included another popstar, Shakira, whom Mr Perez taught last June while she stayed at the private beachside villa belonging to supermodel Gisele Bündchen and her now ex-husband American football star Tom Brady.
The small surf town teeming with twenty-something’s and hipsters in skimpy swimwear was a world away from Ellie’s life in London.
Celebrities from all over the world – including Beyonce, Zac Effron and Mark Zuckerberg – flock to the reclusive villas tucked away in the hills.