Since George Clooney's split with Elisabetta Canalis, rumours have been flying about the reason for the break up. Some of the sniping has even gone as far as suggesting that the relationship was nothing more than a publicity stunt.
The most lurid accusation is that the romance was a cover up for a secret life. Now, George's friends have had enough and one has spoken out. Manuele Malenotti, who owns clothing firm Belstaff, says the couple were very much for real, and broke up for the simple reason that George did not want to get married and have children. "I can tell you George is not gay," he told Italian magazine Chi. "I have known George for ten years, I have spent a lot of time with him and a lot of women have passed through his life." On the subject of Elisabetta, he says: "I know about their relationship because I was the one who got them together." "George wanted to meet Elisabetta and he asked me to make the introductions. "I did as he asked but inside I always knew that it wouldn't last – to be honest I was expecting it. "You will have to ask them for all the specific reasons. "All I can say is that George, when it comes to love, has decided that he is not going to get married again and he is not going to have any children and he won't change his mind. "Manuele, (pictured below with another of Geroge's exes Lisa Snowdon) says Elisabetta and the actor had an intense romance.
"To suggest it was a publicity stunt is a lie," he says. "I introduced them, I saw them together and I can say that their love story was very intense. In two years they shared numerous moments. "He opened the doors of his life to her, introducing her to his friends and family. I totally exclude that it was all made up. "After the couple's split, Elisabetta headed home to her native Sardina for some time out of the spotlight.This week she sparked rumours she may have already moved on – back into the arms of a former love. Pictures surfaced of the 32-year-old model and TV presenter holidaying on a yacht off the Amalfi Coast with her ex-boyfriend Angelo Vita.
