Simon Cowell has reportedly splashed out £40 million on a new home in west London.

The X-Factor judge, famous for his scathing putdowns, bought the Grade II-listed building last month.

Work is currently being carried out on the property and construction has already begun on a large underground extension.

It will include an underground swimming pool, a mini spa, Jacuzzi and a car park.

Cowell has reportedly bought the property from developer Omar Bayoumi and at quite a mark-up. Bayoumi paid just £12 million when he purchased it.

However, it is not as if Cowell cannot afford it, with a fortune rumoured to be worth around £100 million.

The 48-year-old already owns a £7 million home in Holland Park, west London, and another property in California.

The £40 million price tag may seem excessive but Cowell''s new property has an interesting past.

It was used as a hostel for blind people up until the 1960s, before becoming the Burmese Embassy in the 1970s.

Cowell can expect work on the property to be completed by the end of this year.