Niall Horan makes impressive debut as US chat show host
Watch: Niall Horan makes successful debut as a late night chat show host
Niall Horan has wowed critics and fans alike with his debut as a late night chat show host in the US.
The 27-year-old One Direction singer guest hosted the Jimmy Kimmel Live show - giving an impressive opening monologue which sent up Americans' knowledge of Ireland, boxer Conor McGregor and even his own fans - who he has officially named the "Horan Dogs".
Horan appeared relaxed and confident in front of the camera wearing a suit and open-necked shirt, wit his hands in his pockets.
He opened the show claiming: "I'm pretty anxious to be doing this." Then added: "But the last time a pale Irishman with no experience hosted a talk show it was Conan O'Brien - so I'm in good company."
Read more: Niall Horan to livestream gig to raise money for his road crew
O'Brien, 58, began his career as a writer on Saturday Night Live and has gone on to host his own successful late night talk show since 1993.
Former boyband star Horan made fun of his own fans by reading out their extreme reactions on Twitter to the news that he was to guest host the show. He then declared that from now on his fans should be known as Horan Dogs.
He won laughs for his impression of Irish Ultimate Fighter Conor McGregor and quipped he was, "also available for weddings and bar mitzvahs, depending on the price."
Niall Horan’s spot on Conor McGregor impression… 🤣 ☘️ @NiallOfficial @TheNotoriousMMA #HoranDogs pic.twitter.com/vlAm4TrUPh
— Jimmy Kimmel Live (@JimmyKimmelLive) August 25, 2021
Horan quipped: "Everybody seems to be from Ireland in America. 'Oh my God! You're Irish, my dad's brother's neighbour is Irish too, do you know him?' No, I don't. And guess what I couldn't give two f***s about him either."
The show also saw Horan take part in a golfing sketch with Jonas Brothers Joe, Nick and Kevin, while wearing a kilt.
The Nice To Meet Ya singer also interviewed popstar Lizzo over video call - posing a series of awkward questions to find out if they would be compatible as a couple.
He joked: "This is the weirdest first date I've ever been on."
The Irish singer has previously made successful guest appearances on Saturday Night Live and The Late, Late Show with James Corden. But his hosting abilities prompted some viewers to comment that he was a better presenter than his pal Corden.
One fan tweeted: "Niall is as fun as James Corden."
While another wrote: "@JKCorden Niall's coming for ya!"
And one warned: "@JKCorden should feel threatened."
Horan found fame with boyband One Direction after competing in The X Factor in 2010.
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The Irish singer released his second solo album, Heartbreak Weather, in March 2020. He was scheduled to play the US last summer, before taking his Nice To Meet Ya tour to Europe in October.
But the shows have all been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown.