Clooney's Ex On 'Father-Daughter' Relationship

Elisabetta Canalis has described her relationship with Hollywood heart-throb George Clooney as ''father-daughter'', in a book about love which has been published.

TV presenter Canalis, 33, dated Clooney, 50, for two years before they split earlier this year - reportedly after she failed to persuade the actor to commit to a more permanent arrangement between them.

Speaking to Italian broadcaster Bruno Vespa for his new book This Love, she goes into details of her relationship with Clooney and described it as one of ''only two important ones'' she had ever had in her life.

The other was with Italian footballer Christian Vieri and their three years together were noted for their storminess, as the two were often pictured arguing and screaming at each other in public.

Canalis said: ''In both cases I wasn't struck by a thunderbolt, they just conquered me very slowly.

"Sadly I am attracted to men who have strong characters and who have precise objectives.

''Whoever has a strong character in general reaches their target but more often than not they are not generous in their sentiments. They spend a lot of their time and passion trying to obtain what they are fixed with.

"That's why sometimes, even if they don't know it, they put their partner in second place - both George and Christian are in love with their careers but I've met similar men when I've had shorter relationships.''

She added: ''With George it was more of a father-daughter relationship. It was a great love and it was like living a fairy tale.

"George is a real gentleman even with his private life. I was very well respected as a partner.

''He respected my feminine sensibility and was a marvellous boyfriend and one of the nicest people I have ever met because of his humanity. He is very generous to those that have nothing or very little.

''Before I met him I was very superficial when it came to a number of things but he helped me understand the things and look at them more deeply.

''He was a very special person for me - like a father. We both decided it was time to split up.''

But she denied it was over his refusal to get married and have children.

Italian Canalis said: ''When I hear that it makes me laugh. George and I never spoke about marriage or children. I'm not saying that I don't want them but neither he or I ever imagined having children together.

''We split up for our own personal reasons not because of marriage. I threw myself, body and soul, into my relationship with George. Four days after we met I packed my bags and moved in with him.

''In June after we split up I threw myself into living on my own again and really focused on my work. I was getting up at 6am and working 10 hours without batting an eyelid.''

Canalis, who has moved from her native Italy to Los Angeles, where she is trying to secure a TV career made a brief appearance on the US version of Strictly Come Dancing but only lasted a few episodes.

She said: ''My relationship with George did not damage me. I was with a man who is famous across the world and I will go forward on my own. I need to show what I am worth as I have always done.

''Here (America) I am living a dream - trying to make it work in a country where you don't speak the language and which is different from you own in front of millions of people gives me a really strong kick.''