Will.i.am carries Olympic torch

The Voice judge Will.i.am carried the Olympic Torch on Monday.

The Black Eyed Peas star was cheered on by thousands of people as he ran through Taunton carrying the flame.

The US-born music producer was a surprise addition to the line-up on day three of the relay.

Will.i.am, 37, looked at ease in the warm weather as he jogged through the Somerset town centre.

The Metropolitan Police Torch Security Team, which runs alongside the torchbearer, kept a watchful eye on the cheering crowd.

The music producer's torch was "kissed" by that held by 26-year-old tae kwon do instructor Chloe Lock, from Honiton, Devon, to light the flame.

Before he started running he was passed his mobile phone and was tweeting as he set off down the road under Union Flag bunting and surrounded by screaming fans. He held his phone in the air indicating to people to follow him on the social networking site.

After a couple minutes he waved to the crowd while smiling broadly.

He also turned around to perform a short moonwalk to the delight of onlookers.

Will.i.am's turn in the relay was over in under five minutes when he passed the flame to the next runner, biathlete Emma Fowler.