Trevor Noah LEAVING The Daily Show after seven-year run

Comedian and talk show host  is leaving The Daily Show after seven years at the helm during which the late-night infotainment show’s viewership declined dramatically.

Noah, 38, who hails from South Africa, took over the show from former host  in 2015.

He revealed the news to a stunned live audience during Thursday’s taping of the show, which runs from Monday-Thursday on Comedy Central. 

Although the show is regularly nominated for Emmy Awards, it has not won since Stewart left.

Viewing figures were typically around 1.5 million for each episode during Stewart’s tenure and rose as high as 2.5 million in 2013.

Nine years on, and viewing figures for the week of September 19-25 showed The Daily Show pulled in an audience of just 363,000, according to television and film ratings site ShowbuzzDaily.com — a drop partially attributed to the rising popularity of YouTube and streaming platforms versus legacy media, but also associated with the show’s increasing political bias and perceived tilt towards embracing ‘woke’ ideology.

Fox News’ Channel also launched Gutfeld! as a direct cable competitor in the same 11 p.m./EST time slot in the late-night satirical space last April, becoming late-night television’s most-watched program with an average of 2 million viewers.  

Noah said he had a feeling of ‘gratitude’ and thanked the audience. ‘It’s been wild,’ he said.

‘I remember when we first started, so many people thought it was a crazy bet, I still think it was a crazy choice, this random African… what a journey it’s been. It’s been absolutely amazing,’ he said. 

‘After the seven years, my time is up. In the most beautiful way. I’ve loved hosting this show,’ he said to audible gasps from the crowd – though the decision to step down may not come as a surprise amid dwindling viewing figures.

Noah’s exit announcement comes after he was spied in New York’s East Village with Dua Lipa, sparking rumors he is dating the popstar 11 years his junior.

The pair were seen enjoying an intimate dinner, later sharing a warm embrace and a smooch before going their separate ways.

In his exit speech, Noah noted the length of his tenure and the eras the show has endured including the Trump presidency and the pandemic. 

Noah added that he will figure out the timing of his departure but that he will continue hosting the show for the ‘time being’.

‘It has grown all around the world. I am filled with gratitude for the journey. It is something that I never expected,’ he went on. 

‘I realized that after seven years my time is up but in the most beautiful way. I’ve loved hosting the show. It has been one of my greatest challenges and greatest joys. I’ve loved trying to figure out how to make people laugh even on the worst days. We’ve laughed together. We’ve cried together. After seven years I believe it’s time.’

Noah said that it was only after life returned to normal once the pandemic had subsided that he realized just how much he missed being ‘out on the road.’ 

‘I spent two years in my apartment not on the road and when I got out there again I realized there is another part of my life I want to carry on exploring.

‘I miss learning languages, going to other countries putting on shows. I am really grateful to everyone. It’s a weird thing to say. I’ve never been good at goodbyes. 

‘I am grateful to a network who believed in this random comedian who nobody knew. I want to say thank you and to everyone who listened and came to see the show. I never dreamed I would be here. I came in for a tour of the previous show and the next thing I knew I was handed the keys.’

Noah earned plaudits on social media for his seven-year stretch as host, but many pointed out that viewership plummeted once he took over from former host Stewart.

Noah is believed to have been negotiating with the network for a ‘long time’ to try and figure out how he could maintain such a demanding daily schedule for the show which airs Monday through Thursday.

He is the latest late-night host to leave following the exit of James Corden from The Late Late Show and the cancelation of Samantha Bee’s Full Frontal.

‘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,’ said a Comedy Central spokesperson. 

Noah also offered a number of new comedic talents the limelight while on the show, including correspondents Roy Wood Jr., Desi Lydic, Ronny Chieng, Michael Kosta, Jaboukie Young-White, and Dulcé Sloan. 

Meanwhile,  announced in April that he will step down as the host CBS’ The Late Late Show at the end of next season amid plans to spend more time back home in the UK.

The Brit, 43, made the decision to quit at the end of season eight despite the best efforts of CBS executives who ‘desperately tried to keep him for longer.’

The star and his wife of 10 years Jules are mulling over a return to the UK with their three children Max, 11, Carey, seven, and Charlotte, four, but they are still trying to ‘figure out’ what’s next for the family.

The Late Late Show, which films out of s, first premiered in 1995 with host Tom Snyder. Craig Kilborn and Craig Ferguson followed as host until James Corden came along in 2015.

Corden promised to ‘go out with a bang’ as he informed audiences of his decision to step down as the host of The Late Late Show.

The comedian said the show had ‘changed my life’ and promised there would be ‘lots of tears’ when his tenure came to an end.

‘Seven and half years ago I started hosting this show and there’s no other way to put it, it has changed my life,’ he said.

‘I never saw as it as my final destination, and I never want this show to overstay its welcome, I love making it and I really think in a year from now that will be a good time to move on and see what’s out there.’

He added: ‘We are all determined to make this the best year we have ever had…we are going to go out with a bang.

‘The fact that you watch this…all over the world…is an absolute privilege for me and every single person who makes this show.’

‘We [CBS] desperately tried to keep him for longer but James only wanted to do one final year that will keep him on the show until next year,’ a senior CBS source revealed. ‘He’s been such a hit for us for so many years, we will miss him very much.’

‘It’s very rare to find a talent who can redefine a long running format. His skits went viral globally, smashing records and creating the most watched online clips in the history of late night TV,’ they continued. 

‘The biggest stars in the world have appeared on his show – which even took him to the White House!’

Alongside the departure of Noah and Corden is that of Samantha Bee who was the first woman to host a late night satirical show when Full Frontal premiered on TBS in 2016.

Her show was canceled after seven seasons. 

Bee, 52, confirmed the news in July, on Twitter, while thanking her ‘loyal audience’ and ‘amazing team’.

The Canadian native found fame a a correspondent for The Daily Show With John Stewart.

After 12 years at Comedy Central, she departed in 2015 to go out on her own.

Full Frontal debuted to critical claim and earned several Emmy nominations, winning Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special in 2017.

In a statement, TBS explained the decision not to renew Full Frontal With Samantha Bee for another season was part of a wider change at the cable network.

The 27-year-old pop star and the 38-year-old host of The Daily Show were seen enjoying an intimate yet low-key dinner together at Miss Lily’s, a Jamaican restaurant in the East Village, in exclusive images obtained by DailyMail.com.

They appeared to have some stellar chemistry as they concluded the evening on a high note with a romantic kiss and a sweet hug before going their separate ways.

An onlooker tells DailyMail.com: ‘They were quietly sat away from everyone else at restaurant. It was clear they were into each other and sat close together throughout the meal. They left together and walked, stopping for long embraces and on the second kiss with hugs.’

Dua is known for her revealing and colorful ensembles when she’s on stage, but she toned her look down considerably for a casual-chic look while out with Trevor.

The London-born singer-songwriter was decked out in a cool black leather blazer with short lapels, which she wore over a plunging black top.

She opted for comfort with a set of ultra baggy jeans that swallowed up her fit figure, though she contrasted the pants with delicate leopard-print kitten heels.

Her long raven locks were parted down the middle and styled pin straight while cascading down her back.

Dua accessorized her relaxed ensemble with a slim python-print handbag with a matching strap, and she added some extra sparkle to her ensemble with sleek paper clip-shaped silver earrings. 

Trevor also went for a comfortable look with a green military-style jacket. He wore it over a low-key black shirt, along with black jeans.

The comedian had on a pair of classic black-and-white Nike trainers that were perfect for a stroll after dinner. 

He was seen pointing and trying to plot out a course after they stepped out.

The date night appeared to end with the two stepping into the street on their way home as bystanders caught of glimpse of the stars. 

After walking side-by-side for a while, Dua and Trevor turned to each other in an embrace. Trevor placed his arm delicately on the hitmaker’s back, while she stood on her toes and wrapped her arms around his shoulders as they kissed.

They clearly felt plenty of affection, and the stand-up star followed up the kiss by resting his head sweetly on Dua’s shoulders while they hugged. 

Dua and Trevor don’t appear to have given any previous hints at a potential romance. Their date night comes after both split from partners they had been dating for around two years. 

Dua’s most recent long-term boyfriend was the model Anwar Hadid, 23, the younger brother of Gigi and Bella Hadid.

The two reporte