When one of the sexiest men alive, an international superstar, finds his romantic life in the dumps and craves some privacy from the tabloid-hungry world at large, where does he go?

To another of that exclusive, teensy tribe. George Clooney has opened his arms to Brad Pitt's suffering, and invited him for a free holiday at his mansion in Italy.

The Ocean's Twelve co-stars have recently spent some time together in Japan promoting the Steven Soderbergh film, and Clooney insists that Brad and his ex-wife Jennifer Aniston are in good spirits.

The older actor, however, feels Pitt needs some space in which to recover from the split, and so has reportedly recommended a vacation at his Lake Como, Italy, home.

British magazine New quoted an insider as saying: George has been a rock to Brad. But he's been teasing him about how he's taken his place as Hollywood's oldest, most eligible bachelor. George has suggested to Brad that he should get away from the madness and go to Italy. He's worried about him.'

Photograph: Getty Images.