Clooney 'romancing Bhutto niece'

George Clooney has reportedly been enjoying a secret romance with the niece of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

A report in the National Enquirer has suggested that the Ocean's 11 star is "smitten" with Fatima Bhutto, a 26-year-old poet and journalist.

"George has courted her by phone and email, and arranged to meet her abroad when their schedules allowed," a friend of the actor told the publication.

"Now he wants her to spend time with him in Hollywood."

According to The Independent, newspapers in Pakistan have been "thrown into frenzied excitement" by the rumour.

Clooney split from former cocktail waitress Sarah Larson in May last year.