Doctor Who star Matt Smith is to start the Olympic Torch relay in Cardiff on Saturday (May 26), it has been confirmed.

The news was announced on the official Doctor Who Twitter account on Friday morning.

Smith said: "To carry the Torch is an honour, one I thought I'd never get. I'm very excited!"

Who fans will remember David Tennant's Doctor famously carrying the London 2012 Olympic Torch in 2006 episode 'Fear Her'.

Smith has recently been filming the seventh series of the long-running sci-fi show, which will see the "heartbreaking" departures of companions Amy Pond (Karen Gillan) and Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill).

Smith has called the new episodes "extremely extraordinary", and said that he is "really, really pleased" with the Ponds' exit scripts.

Doctor Who returns to BBC One this autumn.

Tim Ireland/PA Wire/Press Association Images

Earlier this week, Voice UK coach will.i.am took to the streets of Taunton, Somerset for his leg of the Olympic Torch relay.

"1nce in a life time experience #runningthetorch in the uK...," he posted before starting his stretch, later adding: "Its nuts here in taurton...so much excitement...#runningthetorch"

Christian Tobin Christian Tobin is Chief Sub-Editor at Digital Spy.

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