Ending weeks of speculation, and more than one fan petition, Comedy Central officially announced this morning that South African comedian Trevor Noah will succeed Jon Stewart as host of "The Daily Show." Variety leaked the news on Friday.

"No-one can replace Jon Stewart," Noah tweeted this morning. But together with the amazing team at The Daily Show, we will continue to make this the best damn news show!"

“I’m thrilled for the show and for Trevor,” Stewart said in a statement reported by The New York Times. “He’s a tremendous comic and talent that we’ve loved working with.” Comedy Central hasn't announced a date for Stewart's departure from the show he's hosted since 1999.

A relative unknown in the United States, the 31-year-old Noah joined "The Daily Show" in December as a contributor, but has made just three appearances since then. Well known in his native South Africa, first as an actor, radio and TV host, Noah has had four television comedy specials, and is currently on an international tour that will bring him to Washington, D.C., next month.