Ellie Goulding kisses & cuddles young surfing instructor while husband Caspar Jopling remains home in marriage riddle

POP star Ellie Goulding hosts a surf instructor on holiday — while her husband Caspar Jopling stays at home.

The British woman, 37, was without her wedding ring as she partied with hunky Armando Perez in his native Costa Rica.

Ellie Goulding snuggled up with a surf instructor on vacation in Costa RicaCredit: BackGrid

A tanned Armando Perez kissed the ‘blissfully happy’ British singerCredit: BackGrid

Ellie was seen without her wedding ring while hanging out with the tricky instructor Credits: BackGrid

During the break, Ellie was taking lessons from Armando.

And Armando certainly got involved, leaning in to hug and kiss the “blissfully happy” British singer on a public beach this week.

Last night, a source confirmed for the first time that Ellie and Caspar are in the process of separating following marriage difficulties last year.

An insider said: “Ellie and Armando seemed to really like each other.

“They share many interests, including a love of nature and the ocean.

“Armando runs a surf school on the beach with his brother and was giving lessons to Ellie.

“When Armando wasn’t teaching Ellie, he couldn’t keep his hands off her and pulled her into a hug and a kiss.

“Ellie looked blissfully happy and laughed and joked with him as they frolicked in the sea.”

The Sun first reported last summer that Ellie’s marriage to art dealer Caspar, 32, was in trouble.

Despite both removing their wedding rings, those close to the couple insisted there were “no divorce talks”.

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The couple, who married in August 2019 and have a young son together, were last seen together in London six weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Ellie and Armando seem to have spent time together in Costa Rica last month.

The chart-topping star posted a photo of herself standing in front of a tree on Instagram, and Costa Rican-born Armando shared an identical photo, which Ellie loved.

When Armando wasn’t teaching Ellie, he couldn’t keep his hands off her and pulled her into a hug and a kiss

She posted other photos from her trip in January with the caption: “Pura Vida,” which translates to “pure life” in English.

Ellie — who had a string of No. 1 singles. 1 in the UK, including Burn and Love Me Like You Do — headed there again with friends this week for a “wellness break” after her last public concert in Dubai on February 16.

She is scheduled to perform at the Brit Awards tomorrow.

Shortly after her marital difficulties emerged last year, Ellie struck up a close friendship with former Tory MP and lifelong 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.

Yesterday, a friend of Ellie said: “There has been a lot of speculation about Ellie’s marriage over the past year and it has been quite draining for her.

“She and Caspar have overcome many obstacles against all odds and are in a really good place.

“Ellie came to Costa Rica for herself and no one else.

“It’s a very good holiday with some great girls before the Brits.

Ellie came to Costa Rica for herself and no one else

“She is doing well mentally and is excited about the future.”

Last night a source close to Ellie told The Sun: “Ellie and Caspar have had a tough time over the last few years as they work out what they want for their family.

“However, it is now known in their social circles that although they are still the best of friends and spend time together as co-parents, they have decided to call it quits and split some time ago.”