Elisabetta Canalis says George Clooney ‘was more of a father-daughter relationship’

George Clooney is old enough to be Elisabetta Canalis' father -- and she says their relationship was very much like that.

In a new book, "Questo Amore," the 33-year-old Italian TV presenter and former "Dancing with the Stars" constestant reveals that Clooney - who is 17 years her senior - "has been special for me, and very important, just as a father would be.

"Between us there was more of a father-daughter relationship. I was unable to clarify this until now."

Although they were together for nearly two years, Canalis says the two "never spoke of marriage nor of having kids. I don't put limits to the possibility of having them, but neither George nor I had ever envisaged having kids together. The end of the relationship was not caused by a marriage issue, but instead by our personal needs."

And even though she was reportedly devasted by the June split, Canalis holds no grudge against Clooney, who has now moved on to former WWE star Stacy Keibler.

"George is a real gentleman even in his private life, she says. I was very much respected both as a woman and partner."