George Clooney, Canalis 'bickered before split'

George Clooney and Elisabetta Canalis are said to have argued constantly prior to breaking up.

The couple, who began dating after being introduced by a mutual friend in Rome, released a joint statement on Wednesday announcing their decision to split after nearly two years of dating.

Clooney and Canalis said: "We are not together anymore. It's very difficult and very personal, and we hope everyone can respect our privacy."

A source has since claimed that the pair had been fighting "over little things" for months before ending the relationship, telling US Weekly: "She drove him nuts.

"[There was] non-stop bickering over little things... He would only hang out with his friends, and more or less left her to herself and her friends."

Clooney is also said to have worked at "creating distance" between himself and Canalis by staying busy with multiple film projects.

The pair's split comes just weeks after Canalis told an Italian magazine that she is a "firm believer" in marriage and would definitely tie the knot in the future.