Trevor Noah, the new host of The Daily Show, has spoken out in defense of himself following a social media backlash over comments he made about women and Jews in tweets dating back to 2009. The South-African comedian, who is little-known in the US, rocketed to national fame on Monday after he was named as longtime host Jon Stewart's replacement on the satirical news program. However, the excitement surrounding the announcement was tinged by hundreds of Internet users accusing the 31-year-old - who is a quarter Jewish - of anti-Semitism for his 'offensive' posts. But in a tweet on Tuesday, Noah told his two million followers: 'To reduce my views to a handful of jokes that didn’t land is not a true reflection of my character, nor my evolution as a comedian.'Trevor Noah, 31, spoke out in defense of 'anti-Semitic' tweets on TuesdayTold two million followers they were not 'a true reflection of my character'Added the 'handful of jokes' didn't represent his 'evolution as a comedian'Comes as Comedy Central has also defended the new South-African hostThe network said he was 'provocative and 'spares noone, himself included'Noah, who is a quarter Jewish, has been praised for cutting-edge humorOne of his skits involves a 'Black Hitler'; Jon Stewart approves of him
Viewers have lamented the end of _'s 16-year stint on the show. Although no dates have been disclosed, _ will likely depart by the end of the year. For much of his childhood, his _ family passed him off as an albino.