Cowell admits to spying on neighbours

'American Idol' judge Simon Cowell has adopted a strange hobby - he likes to spy on his neighbours.

The music mogul installed a telescope in the kitchen of his Los Angeles mansion after watching the 1979 movie 10, in which actor Dudley Moore's character snoops on a nearby resident.

He says: "I saw that Dudley Moore film and it was great. Afterwards, I got a telescope installed in my kitchen so I can spy on people. I look out over the Hollywood Hills into my neighbours' gardens. It's an amazing view.

"It isn't powerful enough to see into their homes - so you can't see them in the shower - but you can see into their gardens. It's great fun. I just like to keep an eye on what is happening."