Inside Ellie Goulding's (very) varied dating history as she's pictured with a hunky surf instructor: Singer, 37, was linked to big music names before marrying art dealer Caspar Jopling - but denied romance rumours with Zac Goldsmith
- Ellie Goulding, 37, was enjoying a PDA-packed outing in Costa Rica this week
- READ MORE: The hunky surfer Armando Perez who is a number one hit with pop sensations Shakira and Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding is making waves after she was pictured with a hunky surf instructor who boasts Shakira as one of his clients.
She and Armando Perez were seen packing on the PDA during a holiday to Costa Rica this week, as they soaked up the sun on a beach day.
The British pop star, 37, appears to be starting a new chapter in her love life, following an eclectic history of partners that ranged from Radio 1 presenter Greg James to art dealer Caspar Jopling - who she shares two-year-old Arthur with.
Rumours also flew she was romantically involved with Prince Harry and Calvin Harris, although the royal didn't mention Ellie in his otherwise candid revelations about his love life in his memoir Spare. Meanwhile, Ellie insisted the rumours about the Scottish DJ were untrue and actually insisted she was the person who introduced him to ex-partner Taylor Swift.
Elsewhere Ellie was rumoured to have been caught up in a love triangle with One Direction's Niall Horan and Ed Sheeran. It is even thought the hit song Don't was written about her - although she labelled the accusations 'false' at the time.
![Ellie Goulding is moving on from her husband - who she has been living a separate life from for at least six months - with a hunky surf instructor that once took Shakira for lessons. Pictured in the summer](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/23/12/81624741-13117239-image-a-32_1708690075421.jpg)
Ellie Goulding is moving on from her husband - who she has been living a separate life from for at least six months - with a hunky surf instructor that once took Shakira for lessons. Pictured in the summer
As sparks fly between the singer and her hunky new surf instructor, FEMAIL takes a look at the musician's star-studded dating history - and the famous faces she's been linked to...
GREG JAMES
2010 - 2012
Ellie and Greg, 38, dated for 18-months until they split in January 2012 reportedly due to their busy schedules.
But it would appear there is no bad blood between the exes, who were last year seen chatting up a storm at the BRIT Awards.
The pair spoke animatedly during a break in the ceremony, with Greg even biting his hand as they made each other chuckle.
A source said: 'They were chatting for ages and looked like they were enjoying a good catch up'.
Greg has since wed Vogue journalist and author Bella Mackie in 2018 and the couple have been open about their struggles to start a family.
![Ellie and Armando Perez (pictured with Shakira in June) were seen packing on the PDA during a holiday to Costa Rica this week, as they soaked up the sun on a beach day](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/23/12/81621465-13117239-Ellie_and_Armando_Perez_pictured_with_Shakira_in_June_were_seen_-m-34_1708690146936.jpg)
Ellie and Armando Perez (pictured with Shakira in June) were seen packing on the PDA during a holiday to Costa Rica this week, as they soaked up the sun on a beach day
![Ellie and Greg, 38, dated for 18-months until they split in January 2012 reportedly due to their busy schedules. Pictured in 2011](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/23/11/81619865-13117239-image-m-13_1708688459217.jpg)
Ellie and Greg, 38, dated for 18-months until they split in January 2012 reportedly due to their busy schedules. Pictured in 2011
Ellie and Greg first got together in June 2010 at one of Ellie's early live shows.
In August 2010 she admitted to GMTV host Emma Bunton that she was dating Greg, but it seems the pressures of their careers contributed to the demise of their relationship.
SKRILLEX
2012
Ellie and Skrillex, real name Sonny John Moore, enjoyed a brief seven month romance back in 2012 but broke up when she found the long distance aspect of the relationship too difficult to deal with.
She met the American musician, 36, shortly after her split from Greg James when they collaborated on a song called Bittersweet for the Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part Two soundtrack.
Despite the romance only lasting a short while, the pair were reportedly so serious about each other that she was prepared to move to the States to be with him.
Speaking about their romance to Popcruch, Ellie gushed: 'I just met someone, fell in love with them and that's it.'
But the couple split just three weeks after the star made these comments.
![Ellie and Skrillex, real name Sonny John Moore, enjoyed a brief seven month romance back in 2012 but broke up when she found the long distance aspect of the relationship too difficult to deal with. Pictured together in 2012](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/23/12/81624297-13117239-image-a-29_1708689825492.jpg)
Ellie and Skrillex, real name Sonny John Moore, enjoyed a brief seven month romance back in 2012 but broke up when she found the long distance aspect of the relationship too difficult to deal with. Pictured together in 2012
JEREMY IRVINE
2012 - 2013
The songstress dated actor Jeremy, 33, for a little under a year, before he made it big in films like War Horse and Mama Mia: Here We Go Again.
The couple were snapped out and about and even made a number of red carpet appearances together.
While not much is known about the relationship in a 2020 interview with Glamour U.K. Ellie admitted she was too 'frenzied' to find lasting love - and that her jealousy ruined relationships in her 20s.
![The songstress dated actor Jeremy, 33, for a little under a year, before he made it big in films like War Horse and Mama Mia: Here We Go Again. Pictured in 2013](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/23/11/81620261-13117239-image-m-14_1708688503125.jpg)
The songstress dated actor Jeremy, 33, for a little under a year, before he made it big in films like War Horse and Mama Mia: Here We Go Again. Pictured in 2013
![While not much is known about the relationship in a 2020 interview with Glamour U.K. Ellie admitted she was too 'frenzied' to find lasting love - and that her jealousy ruined relationships in her 20s. Both pictured in 2013](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/23/12/81624665-13117239-While_not_much_is_known_about_the_relationship_in_a_2020_intervi-m-35_1708690190370.jpg)
While not much is known about the relationship in a 2020 interview with Glamour U.K. Ellie admitted she was too 'frenzied' to find lasting love - and that her jealousy ruined relationships in her 20s. Both pictured in 2013
'I wrote a song about jealousy the other night because I was a jealous, chaotic, frenzied person in my 20s,' she said.
'I didn't know who I was. I went straight from university to being on tour, so I had no chance to settle into a routine and understand my habits and my personality...'
ED SHEERAN
2013
Ellie and Ed, 33, were linked to each other after they were spotted holding hands at the MTV VMA awards in August 2013.
But Ellie immediately took to X to deny that anything was going on between the pair, claiming they were just good friends.
In a post written that night, which she later deleted, she wrote: 'I love that holding hands with my friends means we're an item.'
Ellie also included: 'In that case I am in many relationships. Lover not a hater. #whatthef**k.
![Ellie and Ed, 33, were linked to each other after they were spotted holding hands at the MTV VMA awards in August 2013. Ed pictured in 2019](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/23/11/81623953-13117239-Ellie_and_Ed_33_were_linked_to_each_other_after_they_were_spotte-m-17_1708688669611.jpg)
Ellie and Ed, 33, were linked to each other after they were spotted holding hands at the MTV VMA awards in August 2013. Ed pictured in 2019
![Ellie and Ed are also both famously known to be pals with Taylor Swift, and Ellie has even claimed that she was the matchmaker who set Taylor up with Calvin Harris](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/23/11/81623407-13117239-Ellie_and_Ed_are_also_both_famously_known_to_be_pals_with_Taylor-a-22_1708689484351.jpg)
Ellie and Ed are also both famously known to be pals with Taylor Swift, and Ellie has even claimed that she was the matchmaker who set Taylor up with Calvin Harris
![Ellie and Ed were linked to each other after they were spotted holding hands at the MTV VMA awards in August 2013](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/23/11/66204979-13117239-Close_Ellie_and_Ed_were_linked_to_each_other_after_they_were_spo-a-15_1708688638601.jpg)
Ellie and Ed were linked to each other after they were spotted holding hands at the MTV VMA awards in August 2013
But Ed offered a somewhat different version of events while discussing his friendship with Ellie on US radio show Clock 98.9 later in the year.
When asked about the rumours, he revealed the pair were more than just good mates at the time, explaining: 'I mean, normal people don't hold hands if they're just friends.'
Ed is now married to childhood friend Cherry Seaborn, and the pair have two children together.
Ellie and Ed are also both famously known to be pals with Taylor Swift, and Ellie has even claimed that she was the matchmaker who set Taylor up with Calvin Harris.
NIALL HORAN
2013
Meanwhile, in 2015, Ellie admitted to a fling with Niall Horan, 30, but insisted she never dated Ed in an interview with Elle.
![Secret: Meanwhile, in 2015, Ellie admitted to a fling with Niall Horan (Ellie and Niall pictured together in 2015)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/30/14/66204961-12251013-Love_triangle_Ellie_Goulding_has_finally_addressed_the_rumour_sh-a-137_1688130154259.jpg)
Secret: Meanwhile, in 2015, Ellie admitted to a fling with Niall Horan (Ellie and Niall pictured together in 2015)
She said: 'I did go on a few dates with Niall, but I was never in a relationship with Ed [Sheeran]. I have absolutely no idea where that came from and why it was turned into such a big thing.
'I find it so frustrating that female musicians are constantly defined by the men they have or haven’t dated. It’s something I’ve talked about with Taylor (Swift) a lot. She definitely feels that.
Earlier in 2023, she finally addressed the rumour she cheated on Ed with Niall.
Speculation began that the hitmaker had had a fling with theOne Direction star, after Ed wrote the smash hit Don't - about an ex cheating on him with a friend.
The Starry-eyed hitmaker uploaded a TikTok video over Christmas and responded to a fan who wrote: 'Can't believe you cheated on Ed with Niall but slay'.
Ellie hit back: 'False!!!! But also slay'.
DOUGIE POYNTER
2014 - 2016
Ellie dated McFly drummer Dougie, 35, for two years, before reportedly ending their romance in 2016 and is one of her most high profile unions.
When their relationship came to an end, Ellie said: 'I’m not in a relationship any more and that’s been hard. Having a break will be a good thing for me and my head.
![Ellie dated McFly drummer Dougie for two years, before reportedly ending their romance in 2016 and is one of her most high profile unions (pictured in 2015)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/30/14/18102016-12251013-Exes_Ellie_dated_McFly_drummer_Dougie_for_two_years_before_repor-m-140_1688130330404.jpg)
Ellie dated McFly drummer Dougie for two years, before reportedly ending their romance in 2016 and is one of her most high profile unions (pictured in 2015)
![Back in 2019 Dougie revealed he turned down an invitation to Ellie and Caspar's wedding proving they were still on good terms (pictured in 2015)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/30/14/72713417-12251013-Friends_Back_in_2019_Dougie_revealed_he_turned_down_an_invitatio-m-142_1688130377683.jpg)
Back in 2019 Dougie revealed he turned down an invitation to Ellie and Caspar's wedding proving they were still on good terms (pictured in 2015)
'Dougie is one of the most special people in the world and I’m so happy for him. He’s doing well in LA and he’s still one of my best friends. I know he feels the same.
'But I think for me and anybody else going through the same thing, it’s really important to get to know yourself, be happy with your own company and like yourself. The only way I can do that is by spending time with myself.'
Back in 2019 Dougie revealed he turned down an invitation to Ellie and Caspar's wedding.
When the pop star failed to acknowledge his ex's big day there were rumours of tension, but the bassist has since insisted everything is well between them.
Speaking to The Sun Online, Dougie explained that although he made the guestlist, he felt that he should not go for personal reasons.
He explained: 'I did [get an invite] but I didn't really think it was appropriate.'
PRINCE HARRY
2016
In 2016, Prince Harry was spotted getting very close to popstar Ellie at the Audi Polo challenge in Coworth Park, Berkshire.
Onlookers said the pair were 'all over each other' and one claimed they appeared to share a kiss under a blanket.
The insider, who is close to Harry's social circles, said that after the polo there was a late night party where picture-taking was banned to put the celebrities at ease.
![In 2016, Prince Harry was spotted getting very close to popstar Ellie at the Audi Polo challenge in Coworth Park, Berkshire. The pair pictured in 2014](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/23/11/81622641-13117239-image-a-10_1708688350432.jpg)
In 2016, Prince Harry was spotted getting very close to popstar Ellie at the Audi Polo challenge in Coworth Park, Berkshire. The pair pictured in 2014
'Harry was really going for it after the polo – he was drinking and dancing,' the source told The Sun.
'They were part of a wider group including Tom Hardy but Harry and Ellie only had eyes for each other all night – they spent a lot of time sitting together under blankets.
'They were seen having a kiss before Harry had to go because he was playing polo the next day. Ellie left about five minutes later.'
However, the rumoured romance has never been confirmed. The Duke, who was very candid about his romantic history in his memoir Spare and addressed some of his most personal moments, including losing his virginity, made no mention of the singer.
Ellie has also never commented on the rumours.
CASPAR JOPLING
2017 - 2024
Ellie Goulding is moving on from her husband - who she has been living a separate life from for at least six months - with a hunky surf instructor that once took Shakira for lessons.
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.'
Hitting the beach this week, Ellie showed her marriage was over as she enjoyed a surfing session with Armando.
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'.
![Ellie and Caspar married in August 2019 at York Minster with A-list guests including Sienna Miller, Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/23/11/81620361-13117239-image-m-23_1708689550360.jpg)
Ellie and Caspar married in August 2019 at York Minster with A-list guests including Sienna Miller, Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry
After weeks of discussions about how they would reveal their separation, the pop star's team finally said 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.
After the party, Caspar went on to another party at the Chiltern Firehouse in central London without Ellie.
He was seen there with friends including Tiffany Zabludowicz, the daughter of British-Finnish-Israeli billionaire businessman Poju Zabludowicz and fellow art collector.
At the beginning of June, the couple were seen in London with their son and Ellie did have a ring on her finger.
A source said: 'Things have been bad for at least six months now, both parties have been really trying to be happy together for the sake of their son but these things can only take so long before it is untenable.
![Back in June is was reported that Ellie and her art dealer husband Caspar, 31, had been living separate lives for at least six months (pictured in June 2023; Ellie is seen without her ring)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/23/11/81604273-13117239-Back_in_June_is_was_reported_that_Ellie_and_her_art_dealer_husba-a-12_1708688375738.jpg)
Back in June is was reported that Ellie and her art dealer husband Caspar, 31, had been living separate lives for at least six months (pictured in June 2023; Ellie is seen without her ring)
![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. Pictured in 2019](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/23/12/81624531-13117239-image-m-28_1708689776961.jpg)
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. Pictured in 2019
'Ellie's team were insisting that she and Caspar were happy, that any suggestions of them being apart were totally untrue and now this. It has all been very mysterious indeed.
'There had been suggestions of troubles and even a full on split for quite some time but they kept insisting everything is was totally fine.'
Prior to the split social media users had noticed that the couple had stopped following one another on Instagram though they later went on to refollow one another.
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.
ZAC GOLDSMITH
2023
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 Caspar at York Minster in 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. Pictured in June 2022](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/23/12/81624269-13117239-In_October_Ellie_called_off_her_increasingly_close_friendship_wi-m-26_1708689647540.jpg)
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. Pictured in June 2022
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.
Ellie and Lord Goldsmith first met at the COP26 climate change conference in Glasgow in November 2021.
Seven months later they were spotted enjoying a lunch together at upmarket café The Garden in Covent Garden and were later seen at The Wolseley restaurant in Mayfair.
In October 2022 they were at the same party at the exclusive London members' club 5 Hertford Street and just weeks later they were reunited for the next climate change summit, COP27, in Egypt.
The Daily Mail later revealed that Ellie had chosen to stop spending time with Zac to focus on saving her marriage.
A spokesman for Ellie said at the time: 'To say that Ellie speaks to Zac Goldsmith outside of work is completely untrue.'
ARMANDO PEREZ
2024
Armando Perez is certainly a number one his amongst the popstars after he was spotted earlier the week cosying up to Ellie during her holiday to Costa Rica.
And it isn't the first time the hunky surf instructor has captured the attention of a chart topping superstar after he previously taught Shakira to surf last summer.
Armando and his brother Gero are licensed instructors and run La Puente Surfhouse on Playa Hermosa beach, offering accomodation and lessons.
Shakira, 47, received a helping hand from her surfing instructor after getting thrown off a wave while holidaying in June 2023.
![Shakira, 47, received a helping hand from her surfing instructor after getting thrown off a wave while holidaying in June 2023](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/23/11/81624315-13117239-image-a-24_1708689581577.jpg)
Shakira, 47, received a helping hand from her surfing instructor after getting thrown off a wave while holidaying in June 2023
Despite initially looking shaken after her wipeout, the Colombian singer, who was wearing a black helmet over her wavy blonde hair and a Hurley wetsuit, quickly got back up.
As she returned to the shore, the star smiled as she was joined by Armando who carried both their boards back to their car.
While Armando keeps his social media private, he has been surfing since he was a child after growing up with his family at the Playa Hermosa in Costa Rica.
Since 1989 the family have lived at La Puente Surfhouse, and Armando ensures guests that he is 'a very good host'.
His bio on the surf camp's 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". Together we read the sea until you understand it for yourself.'
And it seems that after Shakira learnt to surf in his capable hands, Ellie too decided to try her luck with the instructor.
![Hitting the beach this week, Ellie showed her marriage was over as she enjoyed a surfing session with Armando. Pictured at the Grammy Awards earlier this month](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/02/23/11/81624339-13117239-image-a-25_1708689583707.jpg)
Hitting the beach this week, Ellie showed her marriage was over as she enjoyed a surfing session with Armando. Pictured at the Grammy Awards earlier this month
Earlier this week the singer, 37, was seen packing on the PDA with Armando during her Costa Rica getaway.
Hitting the beach this week, Ellie showed her marriage was over as she enjoyed a surfing session with Armando.
The duo frolicked on the beach together, sharing kisses and cuddles, in photos obtained by The Sun.
An insider told The Sun: 'Ellie and Armando seemed very into each other.
'When Armando wasn’t teaching Ellie, he couldn’t keep his hands off her and pulled her in for a hug and a kiss.
'Ellie looked blissfully happy and was laughing and joking with him as they messed around in the sea.'
MailOnline has contacted Ellie's representatives for comment.