Simon Cowell's London home burgled, armed woman arrested

Simon Cowell's London home was reportedly broken into on Saturday evening (March 24), the Metropolitan Police has said.

Leanne Zaloumis, 29, of Catford, south-east London has been charged with aggravated burglary and will appear at West London Magistrates' Court on Monday.

The X Factor judge's £9 million west London home was allegedly broken into at 10.30pm.

Cowell was said to have come face-to-face with the female intruder as he watched television, according to the Daily Mail.

Zaloumis was reportedly found "lying on Simon's bed in his bedroom".

A friend said: "It was a frightening experience. Simon's fine but shaken up - because he didn't expect something like that to happen."

The woman was allegedly able to gain access to the property by entering through a downstairs window.

Cowell's Britain's Got Talent returned to ITV1 last night against BBC One's The Voice UK.

He has said that The Voice UK has provided a "wake up call" to his own shows to remain dominant in the ratings.