(Cover) - EN Showbiz - George Clooney and Elisabetta Canalis were "bickering non-stop" before they announced their split, according to a source.

The Hollywood couple announced their break up on Wednesday after two years of dating. Describing the break-up as "very difficult", the pair asked for privacy in the wake of the separation.

Since releasing a statement to confirm their split, reports have emerged that there were signs of trouble during their New Year's vacation in Mexico.

"She drove him nuts," a source told US Weekly. "[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."

George, 50, was apparently "creating distance" from the 32-year-old Italian model for a number of months, it has been claimed.

The American actor, who vowed never to marry again after his divorce from Talia Balsam in 1993, was reportedly too busy to make time for his former beau. The source revealed that the hunky star's hectic schedule was affecting his relationship with Elisabetta.

"[He] was knee-deep in pre-production on a couple projects," the source added.

Despite George's reluctance to tie the knot, Elisabetta was more forthcoming about the idea. The stunning model revealed she would love to walk down the aisle at some point in the future.

"I am a firm believer in marriage," she said in a June interview with Italian magazine Chi. "In the future I will be married, but for the time being I am happy as I am." (C) Cover Media