When Ellie Goulding was first pictured with hunky surfer Armando Perez in Costa Rica, it was thought their romance was nothing more than a holiday fling.

But it appears their relationship is the real thing after the singer was seen with him once again after flying out to South America five weeks after they were pictured frolicking in the sea.

The singer’s romance with the hunky surfing instructor came to light just weeks ago, with Ellie, 37, later confirming her four-year marriage to art dealer husband Caspar Jopling, 31, was over after months of speculation.

The budding couple put on an affectionate display as a muscular Armando gave Ellie some surfboarding lessons during the outing – on what is her third trip to Costa Rica this year.

The instructor, who has previously given Shakira some surfboarding lessons, kissed the songstress on the forehead as they headed out to sea. 

Ellie Goulding and her new boyfriend Armando Perez looked closer than ever as they hit the beach in Costa Rica on Friday

Ellie Goulding and her new boyfriend Armando Perez looked closer than ever as they hit the beach in Costa Rica on Friday

Ellie Goulding and her new boyfriend Armando Perez looked closer than ever as they hit the beach in Costa Rica on Friday

The singer's romance with the hunky surfing instructor came to light last month, with Ellie, 37, later confirming her four year marriage to art dealer husband Caspar Jopling, 31, was over

The singer's romance with the hunky surfing instructor came to light last month, with Ellie, 37, later confirming her four year marriage to art dealer husband Caspar Jopling, 31, was over

The singer’s romance with the hunky surfing instructor came to light last month, with Ellie, 37, later confirming her four year marriage to art dealer husband Caspar Jopling, 31, was over

The budding couple put on an affectionate display as a muscular Armando gave Ellie some surfboarding lessons during the outing

The budding couple put on an affectionate display as a muscular Armando gave Ellie some surfboarding lessons during the outing

The budding couple put on an affectionate display as a muscular Armando gave Ellie some surfboarding lessons during the outing

Ellie looked incredible in a £450 brown Fendi bikini which showcased her gym-honed physique

Ellie looked incredible in a £450 brown Fendi bikini which showcased her gym-honed physique

She wore her hair in a bun and donned some round aviators

She wore her hair in a bun and donned some round aviators

Ellie looked incredible in a £450 brown Fendi bikini which showcased her gym-honed physique

Ellie looked thoroughly relaxed as she sunbathed with Armando before getting ready for their surfboarding lesson

Ellie looked thoroughly relaxed as she sunbathed with Armando before getting ready for their surfboarding lesson

Ellie looked thoroughly relaxed as she sunbathed with Armando before getting ready for their surfboarding lesson

The couple are now expected to divorce after confirming their four year marriage is over after exhausting all possibilities (pictured in June 2023; Ellie is seen without her ring)

The couple are now expected to divorce after confirming their four year marriage is over after exhausting all possibilities (pictured in June 2023; Ellie is seen without her ring)

The couple are now expected to divorce after confirming their four year marriage is over after exhausting all possibilities (pictured in June 2023; Ellie is seen without her ring)

Ellie looked incredible in a £450 brown Fendi bikini which showcased her gym-honed physique. 

The singer looked thoroughly relaxed as she sunbathed with Armando before getting ready for the surfboarding lesson. 

The songstress changed out of the skimpy tie-side swimwear into something more study as she prepared to head out to sea. 

Rocking a black swimsuit, Ellie looked like she was throwing herself into the impromptu lesson as she emerged from the water with her hair wet and a little windswept. 

Onlookers saw the Brit award winner deep in conversation with her new man who, clutching a surf board, was dressed in a colourful pair of swimming trunks and a baseball cap. 

While Ellie holidayed in Costa Rica, Caspar has been in New York for the opening of Richard Hunt’s exhibition at White Cube Maddison Avenue.

Ellie, who has a three-year-old son named Arthur with Caspar, met Armando while she was on holiday with a group of friends in January.

And around six weeks later she returned, again with pals in tow, where she was seen kissing the surf instructor.

The lovebirds looked in high spirits as they relaxed in the sunshine

The lovebirds looked in high spirits as they relaxed in the sunshine

The lovebirds looked in high spirits as they relaxed in the sunshine 

Ellie looked happy as she walked barefoot along the beach with Armando

Ellie looked happy as she walked barefoot along the beach with Armando

Ellie looked happy as she walked barefoot along the beach with Armando 

They put on a cosy display as they walked along the beach

They put on a cosy display as they walked along the beach

They put on a cosy display as they walked along the beach 

Ellie was in Costa Rica last month when her romance with Armando came to light

Ellie was in Costa Rica last month when her romance with Armando came to light

Ellie was in Costa Rica last month when her romance with Armando came to light

The instructor, who has previously given Shakira some surfboarding lessons, kissed the songstress on the forehead as they headed out to sea

The instructor, who has previously given Shakira some surfboarding lessons, kissed the songstress on the forehead as they headed out to sea

The instructor, who has previously given Shakira some surfboarding lessons, kissed the songstress on the forehead as they headed out to sea

Armando showed off his muscular physique in a pair of patterned board shorts

Armando showed off his muscular physique in a pair of patterned board shorts

Armando showed off his muscular physique in a pair of patterned board shorts 

In the update, 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'

In the update, 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'

In the update, 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’

Caspar added: Ellie and I remain the closet of friends and most importantly 'co-parents' to the best kiddo in the world, Arthur'

Caspar added: Ellie and I remain the closet of friends and most importantly 'co-parents' to the best kiddo in the world, Arthur'

Caspar 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

Ellie and Caspar married in August 2019 at York Minster

Ellie and Caspar married in August 2019 at York Minster

It was last month when her romance with Armando came to light during her second trip to Central America this year, she is believed to have met Armando during a trip back in January. 

Ellie and her art dealer ex Caspar were reportedly living separate lives for at least six months, despite trying to work things out for the sake of their son Arthur. 

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.

‘We remain the closest of friends and have been successfully co-parenting with our sons best interests at heart. We are committed to protecting our family privacy and thank people in advance for respecting our wishes – we won’t be commenting further. Thank you.’

As Ellie’s new romance was revealed, friends of the couple told MailOnline ‘divorce is the only outcome’ following their split after two years battling to save their relationship.

The couple admired a dog who was sat with their owners nearby

The couple admired a dog who was sat with their owners nearby

The couple admired a dog who was sat with their owners nearby 

The songstress changed out of the skimpy tie-side swimwear and into something more study as she prepared to head out to sea

The songstress changed out of the skimpy tie-side swimwear and into something more study as she prepared to head out to sea

The songstress changed out of the skimpy tie-side swimwear and into something more study as she prepared to head out to sea

The couple laughed as they chatted to one another on the beach

The couple laughed as they chatted to one another on the beach

The couple laughed as they chatted to one another on the beach 

Rocking a black swimsuit, Ellie looked like she was throwing herself into the impromptu lesson as she emerged from the water with her hair wet and a little windswept

Rocking a black swimsuit, Ellie looked like she was throwing herself into the impromptu lesson as she emerged from the water with her hair wet and a little windswept

Rocking a black swimsuit, Ellie looked like she was throwing herself into the impromptu lesson as she emerged from the water with her hair wet and a little windswept

Sources close to Ellie have told how it isn’t the ideal ending for her but it is the ‘only one’ after exhausting all possibilities with Caspar.

A pal said: ‘Ellie and Caspar have been over for some time now but there was this whole carry on of them pretending to be together.

‘The fact is that it is over, Ellie moved on some time ago but she didn’t want anyone to know.’

They continued: ‘But now she is enjoying the company of other men and there is simply no way back.

‘It is so sad, especially because they have got little Arthur but they can’t make it work and now it, really sadly, is going to end in divorce. There is no way that the marriage can be saved, the only way it is going to end now is by divorcing.

‘It wasn’t necessarily the outcome they have always wanted but that’s where they are, Ellie is ready to date other men if he isn’t already, Caspar surely will be back out on the market again soon.’

The exes were last seen together in October during a family day out, after the musician ended her friendship with Tory peer Zac Goldsmith to ‘focus on her marriage.’

Ellie and Caspar married in August 2019 at York Minster with A-list guests including Sienna Miller, Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry. 

Their split was first rumoured in June 2023, when sources claimed they were ‘living apart’. 

After weeks of discussions about how they would reveal their separation, the pop star’s team finally revealed they had been spending time apart – blaming their ‘hectic schedules’ for the demise of their marriage. 

That same month Ellie was seen without her wedding and engagement ring when she attended the Serpentine Summer Party with Caspar. The pair were pictured looking glum.

Ellie first hinted at her romance with new man Armando weeks ago with a telling clue. 

Yet the pair subtly revealed their romance in January when they shared social media snaps in the same location. 

Ellie first posted a snap of her in Costa Rica, with Armando shared a picture that same day showing the same backdrop – yet left Ellie out of frame.

The couple put on a tactile display as they relaxed in the sunshine

The couple put on a tactile display as they relaxed in the sunshine

The couple put on a tactile display as they relaxed in the sunshine 

Ellie appeared in high spirits as she spent time with her new boyfriend

Ellie appeared in high spirits as she spent time with her new boyfriend

Ellie appeared in high spirits as she spent time with her new boyfriend

Ellie first hinted at her romance with Armando weeks ago as they both shared a snap in the exact same location on January 8 (pictured: Ellie's post)

Ellie first hinted at her romance with Armando weeks ago as they both shared a snap in the exact same location on January 8 (pictured: Ellie's post)

The same day as Ellie's post went up, Armando shared a snap taken at the exact same location, but without Ellie in frame

The same day as Ellie's post went up, Armando shared a snap taken at the exact same location, but without Ellie in frame

Ellie first hinted at her romance with Armando weeks ago as they both shared a snap in the exact same location on January 8 (left: Ellie’s post, right: Armando’s post) 

The Burn hitmaker was quick to like the image, which Armando had captioned with two love hearts

The Burn hitmaker was quick to like the image, which Armando had captioned with two love hearts

The Burn hitmaker was quick to like the image, which Armando had captioned with two love hearts

The exes were last seen together in October during a family day out, after the musician ended her friendship with Tory peer Zac Goldsmith to 'focus on her marriage (Ellie and Zac pictured in June 2022)

The exes were last seen together in October during a family day out, after the musician ended her friendship with Tory peer Zac Goldsmith to 'focus on her marriage (Ellie and Zac pictured in June 2022)

The exes were last seen together in October during a family day out, after the musician ended her friendship with Tory peer Zac Goldsmith to ‘focus on her marriage (Ellie and Zac pictured in June 2022)

The Burn hitmaker was quick to like the image, which Armando had captioned with two love hearts.

In June, the Costa Rican surfer took Shakira for a lesson while the hitmaker was on holiday in his home country. 

Armando and his brother Gero are licensed instructors and run La Puente Surfhouse on Playa Hermosa beach, offering accommodation and lessons. 

Ellie and Caspar – the son of former Tory MP Michael Jopling, 92 – were introduced in 2017 through their mutual friends – who include Beatrice and Eugenie.

A year later Caspar, who lived in New York at the time after studying at Harvard University proposed with a £70,000 engagement ring and they wed in the summer of 2019. 

In October, Ellie called off her increasingly close friendship with Tory peer Zac, 48, amid reports she was trying to work on her marriage with Caspar – after the pair were spotted together on numerous occasions.

The pair had developed a relationship over their shared passion for tackling climate change and they grew close following the breakdown of Lord Goldsmith’s marriage to his second wife, Alice Rothschild, after ten tears.

The friendship had been described as an unlikely one as Lord Goldsmith is the Eton-educated son of late billionaire financier Sir James Goldsmith, while Ellie grew up on a council estate in Herefordshire.

However, the singer has made many friends in high society, including Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie who were guests at her star-studded wedding to Mr Jopling at York Minster in 2019.

Lord Goldsmith was previously married to fellow environmentalist Sheherazade Bentley but they split in 2010. He resigned as a minister in June after accusing Rishi Sunak of being ‘uninterested’ in the environment.

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