Ellie Goulding asks fans for details of ‘impressive and lovely’ eco-firm boss – weeks after ending ‘friendship’ with Zac Goldsmith to focus on marriage to Caspar Jopling
- The 36-year-old singer shared a video of tree hugger Richard Benwell online
She recently ended her friendship with Zac Goldsmith and now Ellie Goulding appears to be flirting with a tree-hugging hunk after seeing a video of his speech about restoring nature.
Mrs Goulding, 36, who split from her art dealer husband Caspar Jopling, 31, earlier this year, posted on Twitter to find out who the man was in the powerful video.
She said: ‘This is annoying, but can someone tell me who this is? He was seriously impressive! And sweet.’
The man in the video turned out to be Richard Benwell, the CEO of Wildlife & Countryside Link, and he replied: ‘Thanks @elliegoulding, and hello! Thank you for all your environmental campaigns and the accompanying soundtrack.’
Delighted that she had finally tracked down her mystery man, Mrs Goulding said: ‘I found you! I loved your speech.”
Ellie Goulding turned to X, formerly Twitter, to ask for help identifying the campaigner, who spoke at a protest outside Defra’s headquarters yesterday
Gould enjoys a walk with Tory peer and environmental campaigner Zac Goldsmith in London in August
Goulding is divorced from her husband, art dealer Caspar Jopling (left). They were seen in London earlier this month
Goulding appeared elated after tracking down environmentalist Richard Benwell on social media
Mr Benwell replied: ‘Thank you.’
Seeing the exchange between the two, wildlife television host Megan McCubbin joined the conversation. Replying to both of them, she said, “Haha, I love this! @RSBenwell is the best, such a great speaker.’
Mrs. Goulding then sent a single red heart to both of them.
Her flirting caused a stir online. Kathryn Brown, Director of Climate Change and Evidence at Wildlife Trusts tweeted: ‘Are you starting a Richard Bennell fan club Ellie? I participate.’
While another user sent a meme of a confused-looking woman with the caption: ‘Richard’s wife now…’
In July it was revealed that Ms Goulding had become close to millionaire Tory peer Goldsmith, with the pair bonding over their shared love of green issues.
Mr. Goldsmith, 48, announced in March that he had divorced his second wife, banking heiress Alice Rothschild, 40.
Their friendship has been described as unlikely as Lord Goldsmith is the Eton-educated son of the late billionaire financier Sir James Goldsmith, while Mrs Goulding grew up on a council estate in Herefordshire. They met for the first time at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow in 2021.
Ellie and her husband, art dealer Caspar Jopling, 31, have been living separate lives for at least six months. They can be seen at a party at the Serpentine Gallery on June 27
But Ms Goulding ended their close friendship in early September after she was seen laughing outside his west London home last summer. Her spokesperson insisted their friendship was work.
Ms Goulding married Mr Jopling in a star-studded ceremony at York Minster in August 2019. Guests included Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry.
Despite living separate lives, the couple lives together for the sake of their two-year-old son Arthur. On Monday morning, Ellie was pictured taking a walk with little Arthur and one of her friends.
Second marriage: Lord Goldsmith divorced his second wife Alice Rothschild (right) after ten years of marriage. Pictured in the Ned in 2017