After seven years, Trevor Noah is stepping down as the host of The Daily Show.Noah, who took the reins from former host Jon Stewart back in 2015, first shared the news during a taping of the show Thursday evening; The Daily Show later shared a video of the announcement on Twitter.The South African comedian, 38, told the audibly-shocked audience that this seemed like a natural time to exit the late-night satirical news program.
"...I realized that after that seven years, my time is up," Noah said. "But in the most beautiful way. Honestly. I've loved hosting the show. It's been one of my greatest challenges. It's been one of my greatest joys. I have loved trying to figure out how to make people laugh, even when the stories are particularly shitty on the worst days. You know, we've laughed together, we've cried together. But after seven years, I feel like it's time."
Watch the full "special message from Trevor Noah" below:
Noah Says He's Grateful for Tenure on The Daily Show: 'It's Been Absolutely Amazing'
The comedian, who says his departure is due in part to realizing he wanted to explore other aspects of his life during the pandemic, described his years hosting the series as a wild journey.
"What a journey it's been. Every single one of you who comes here to support us every single day, everybody who's watched the show and then it's grown all around the world," Noah said, sharing that he encountered international fans firsthand on a trip to India.
He added, "I found myself filled with gratitude for the journey. It's been absolutely amazing. It's something that I never expected."
A representative for Comedy Central shared a statement following news of Noah's departure, writing:
"We are grateful to Trevor for our amazing partnership over the past seven years. With no timetable for his departure, we're working together on next steps. As we look ahead, we're excited for the next chapter in the 25+ year history of The Daily Show as it continues to redefine culture through sharp and hilarious social commentary, helping audiences make sense of the world around them."
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah is available to stream now on Paramount+, with select free episodes available on Comedy Central's website.