Trevor Noah Leaving "The Daily Show" After 7 Years: "My Time Is Up"

After seven years, Trevor Noah is leaving "The Daily Show." The late-night talkshow host formally announced his departure in a special message on Thursday night's episode. "It has been seven years since we started 'The Daily Show With Trevor Noah.' This week is our anniversary, and one of the overriding feelings I found myself experiencing throughout the nights and even today waking up, was a feeling of gratitude," Noah began on Sept. 29. "There's so many people that make this thing come together, and I want to say thank you to the audience for an amazing seven years. It's been wild."

The 38-year-old recalled how when he first joined the show in 2015, many people doubted him and his correspondent Ronny Chieng. "So many people didn't believe in us. It was a crazy bet to make. I still think it was a crazy choice. You know, this random African bringing in a Chinese guy from Malaysia," he joked. "And what a journey it's been."

Noah made his debut as the host of "The Daily Show" on Sept. 28 of 2015, following Jon Stewart's departure. Noah expressed his gratitude for the "amazing" journey, saying it's something he "never expected," but continued that the time has come for him to say goodbye. Noah explained, "I realised that after the seven years, my time is up. But in the most beautiful way, honestly. I've loved hosting this show. It's been one of my greatest challenges. It's been one of my greatest joys. I've loved trying to make people laugh even when the stories are particularly sh*tty on the worst days. We've laughed together, we've cried together. But after seven years, I feel like it's time."

He also touched on the reason behind his exit, saying, "I realised there's another part of my life that I want to carry on exploring, you know? I miss learning other languages, I miss going to other countries and putting on shows. I miss just being everywhere, doing everything."

Noah assured viewers he's not leaving right away. He concluded, "I never dreamed that I would be here. I sort of felt like Charlie in the chocolate factory . . . I couldn't have done it without you, and I wouldn't have wanted to do it without you. So we'll figure out the timings and the whens. We'll still be here for the time being, but all I can say is, thank you very much."

In addition to his "Daily Show" exit, Noah is making headlines for his rumoured romance with Dua Lipa. On Sept. 28, the Daily Mail published photos of the two on a dinner date at Jamaican restaurant Miss Lily's in New York City. "They were quietly sat away from everyone else at [the] restaurant," a source who reportedly witnessed their dinner told the publication. "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." Neither Noah nor Lipa have publicly addressed the status of their relationship, and reps for both stars did not respond to POPSUGAR's request for comment.