Ellie Goulding confirms marriage split after she’s spotted kissing surfing instructor – as Caspar Jopling breaks silence
ELLIE Goulding and husband Caspar Jopling have confirmed they’ve split after she was spotted kissing her surfing instructor.
Pop star Ellie and art dealer Caspar today spoke out in separate statements following exclusive pictures in The Sun.
Taking to Instagram, Ellie said: “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.”
Caspar, who was later spotted looking glum and without his wedding ring on today, confirmed the couple had separated after almost five years of marriage.
He said they were focusing on raising their young son, Arthur.
Caspar penned: “Hi people – hope you’re having a good day.
“I feel (sadly) that I need to say something on mine and Ellie’s current relationship.. that I hope more than anything will make any final tabloid speculation disappear.
“Ellie and I made the decision to separate some time ago.
“Our immediate family and close friends have known for some time – otherwise we chose to do what we could to keep this private.
“Ellie and I remain the closest of friends and, most importantly, ‘co-parents to the best kiddo in the world, Arthur.
“This is the last I want to say on this and please ask that you respect mine and Ellie’s privacy. Thanks a lot Caspar.”
The Sun first reported last summer that Ellie’s marriage to art dealer Caspar, 32, had run into trouble.
Ellie, 37, has since been spotted getting close up to surfing instructor Armando Perez in Costa Rica.
Our pictures showed the pair frolicking in the sea, with Armando unable to keep his hands off the singer.
Shortly after her marital difficulties emerged last year, Ellie struck up a close friendship with ex-Tory MP and life peer Zac Goldsmith.
The pair were seen together in London last autumn after apparently bonding over their passion for climate issues.
But in September The Sun revealed how Ellie had cut ties with Zac in a bid to give her marriage to Caspar another chance.
Last night a source confirmed for the first time that Ellie and Caspar were in the process of splitting after marriage difficulties.
An insider told us: “Ellie and Armando seemed very into each other.
“They share a lot of interests including their love of nature and the ocean.
“Armando runs a surf school on the beach with his brother and he has been giving Ellie lessons.
“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.”
Ellie has had a string of UK No1 singles including Burn and Love Me Like You Do.
She is due to perform at the Brit Awards a week tomorrow.