Trevor Noah to Take Over for Jon Stewart on The Daily Show

NEW YORK: South African comedian Trevor Noah has been tapped to succeed Jon Stewart as host of Comedy Central’s Emmy- and Peabody-winning The Daily Show.

Noah joined the nightly news-skewering show last year as a contributor. He’d made his U.S. television debut in 2012 on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and had also popped up on Late Show with David Letterman. Back in his native country, the stand-up comedian hosted various TV shows, including the late-night talk show Tonight with Trevor Noah.

Stewart announced in February that he’d be ending his 15-year stint as The Daily Show’s host. Noah’s show premiere will be announced at a later date.

“Trevor Noah is an enormous talent. He has an insightful and unique point of view, and most importantly, is wickedly funny,” said Michele Ganeless, the president of Comedy Central. “For the next host of The Daily Show, we set out to find a fresh voice who can speak to our audience with a keen take on the events of the day, and we found that in Trevor. He has a huge international following and is poised to explode here in America, and we are thrilled to have him join Comedy Central.”

Noah commented: “It’s an honor to follow Jon Stewart. He and the team at The Daily Show have created an incredible show whose impact is felt all over the world. In my brief time with the show they’ve made me feel so welcome. I’m excited to get started and work with such a fantastic group of people.”

Stewart said: “I’m thrilled for the show and for Trevor. He’s a tremendous comic and talent that we’ve loved working with… In fact, I may rejoin as a correspondent just to be a part of it!!!”