*Drumroll* The Daily Show's new host has been announced.

The new host of The Daily Show has been announced – and there is a good chance you’ve never even heard of him.

Relatively unknown South African comedian Trevor Noah has been named as TV legend Jon Stewart’s replacement on US comedy/political program The Daily Show.

Stewart is stepping down after 16 years on the show.

Related: The Daily Show thinks Australian politics is a joke.

Thirty-one-year-old Noah first appeared on The Daily Show in December as an on-air contributor and has since appeared two more times.

Noah, who grew up in Soweto, has been doing stand up since his early 20s.

While he’s not well known in the US (yet), he started performing in the country in 2010 before catching Stewart’s eye in 2013.

He has also made successful international appearances at the Melbourne Comedy Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe Fest.

His promotion has left some viewers to question why a newcomer was given the top job instead of a more experienced woman, after fans actively campaigned for long-term cast members Samantha Bee and Jessica Williams to be named as Stewart’s replacement.

However, in an interview with the New York Times, Noah said Stewart was confident he was up to the challenge:

He told me, ‘I was where you were when I took over the show. Nobody knew me. I was just starting out, finding my voice, and that’s when I was handed this seat.’  Now it’s my turn to steer the ship.

Stewart, 52, announced he was leaving the satirical news program in February.

Noah’s exact starting date has not been announced, but it’s expected to be within the coming months.

So congratulations Trevor – keep the funnies coming.