Trevor Noah To Replace Jon Stewart On Daily Show

South African comedian Trevor Noah has been named as Jon Stewart's replacement on the satiral news programme The Daily Show.

Comedy Central announced Stewart's successor on Monday, saying Noah was the "fresh voice" it needed to carry on the award-winning show.

Stewart, 52, who has starred on the programme since 1999, announced last month he was stepping down, but gave no specific plans for his next career move.

"I'm thrilled for the show and for Trevor," Stewart said in a statement released by Comedy Central.

"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!!!"

Noah made his first appearance on The Daily Show, which airs weeknights at 11pm, in December.

"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," Noah said in a statement.

"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."

Noah, a relative newcomer to US television, has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Late Show with David Letterman.

In December, he performed for members of the Royal Family at the Royal Variety Performance.

"Trevor Noah is an enormous talent," Comedy Central president Michele Ganeless said in a release. "He has an insightful and unique point of view, and most importantly, is wickedly funny.

"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."

The exact time for Stewart's departure will be announced at a later date, the network said.