Simon Cowell gets £500k Banksy for Christmas

Simon Cowell receives £500k personalised Banksy from music executives

Christmas came late for Simon Cowell this year, as the music mogul was treated to a £500k post-festive bonus - a personalised Banksy.

The one-of-a-kind artwork was commissioned by record company execs at Syco, and depicts Cowell in a reproduction of a Degas masterpiece named Rehearsal Of The Ballet On Stage.

A source snitched to The Mirror: 'Record label execs wanted something unique to give to Simon. He's a secret art collector and loves the work of Degas - plus he's a huge fan of Banksy. So they got Banksy to mock up one of Degas' most famous works. In the picture, it looks like Simon's deciding whether or not the girl has the X Factor.'

The X Factor judge was reportedly so thrilled with the piece that he immediately had two copies made, so it can be on show not just in his London home, but in his LA and Barbados pads too. 

The source added: 'Banksy rarely does private commissions so it was a real coup by record label bosses to secure his services.'

We guess Joe McElderry finally getting to number one wasn't the only thing getting Cowell smiling then over the festive period then.

X FACTOR 2009: LOOK BACK AT ALL THE PICS HERE