George Clooney may have parted from his latest glamorous girlfriend but there is no way he is gay, a close friend insisted last night.
Businessman Manuele Malenotti, who said he introduced the couple two years ago, spoke out as rumours about Clooney’s sexuality went into overdrive.
He said the 50-year-old Hollywood star had broken up with model and actress Elisabetta Canalis, 32, simply because the actor did not want to settle down and have children.
Mr Malenotti, who owns clothing firm Belstaff, denied the relationship was just a publicity stunt, amid rumours in Italy that Miss Canalis had been paid to attend red carpet events with Clooney.
Speaking to Italian magazine Chi, Mr Malenotti said: “I have known George for ten years. Of all the actors I know in Hollywood he is the one I see the most and we have done lots of charity work together. 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.
“To suggest it was a publicity stunt is a lie.
“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.
“I can also tell you that 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. You never know in life, and men are having an identity crisis but I can tell you George is not gay.”
Miss Canalis is believed to be staying with friends and family on her home island of Sardinia and has yet to speak publicly about the split, with Italian reports suggesting she has signed a golden gagging clause.
The only woman so far to march Clooney up the aisle has been actress Talia Balsam - probably best known to British audiences for her role as Mona in hit TV drama Mad Men. The 1989 marriage lasted four years. - Daily Mail