Snowdon: 'Clooney's a blessing after my violent ex'

George Clooney's girlfriend Lisa Snowdon is relieved she's dating a kind, gentle man - because her previous boyfriend subjected her to five years of physical and mental abuse.

The model, 33, was forced to flee to Australia 10 years ago because her womanising ex-lover, who she refuses to name, regularly beat her and forced her to conceal his violent attacks.