Comedy Central will announce Monday that Trevor Noah, a 31-year-old South African comedian, has been chosen as the new host of “The Daily Show,” according to a report in The New York Times. He will succeed longtime host Jon Stewart after he departs later this year.
Noah has appeared on the satirical news program just three times. He made his debut as an on-air contributor in December.
In a phone interview with the Times from Dubai, Noah said he is bracing for a big challenge.
“You don’t believe it for the first few hours,” Noah told the newspaper. “You need a stiff drink, and then unfortunately you’re in a place where you can’t really get alcohol.”
Stewart, 52, said on Feb. 10 that he was leaving the popular series after 16 years at the mock-anchor desk. An exact departure date has not been announced.
No-one can replace Jon Stewart. But together with the amazing team at The Daily Show, we will continue to make this the best damn news show!
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) March 30, 2015This story originally appeared on NBC News
Daniel Arkin, NBC News