'Papi' Silvio will help me enter politics: Italian teen model

The teen beauty, at the root of Silvio Berlusconi's divorce controversy, has claimed that the Italian prime minister will help her enter politics.

In an interview to an Italian newspaper, 18-year-old lingerie model Noemi Letizia has expressed her willingness to stand for the country's Parliament. "Papi (Daddy) Silvio will fix it," she told the La Republica.

Letizia recently hit the newspaper headlines after the 52-year-old wife of Italian PM, Veronica Lario, complained about his appearance at the model's 18th birthday celebrations and also accused him of "frequenting underage girls", before announcing she was divorcing him after 19 years of marriage.

But, rubbishing the claims and denying rumours that she's Berlusconi's illegitimate daughter, the model said: "Papi brought me up. He's always been kind to me. One year he gave me a little diamond; another time, a small necklace."

"I adore him. He calls me, he tells me he has some free time and I join him in Milan or Rome. I stay there listening to him. That's what he wants from me. Then we sing together," The Sunday Times quoted Letizia as telling the Italian newspaper.

Berlusconi has also denied his wife's claims, saying: "I went to celebrate a girl's 18th birthday. Where's the harm in that? If I didn't do these things, I wouldn't be me." The 72-year-old PM has also sought an apology from his wife.

And, most Italians seem to agree -- a poll last week found the Italian prime minister enjoys unwavering support of 66 per cent, making him one of Europe's most popular leaders.