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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.

Niall Horan pokes fun at fans as he guest hosts Jimmy Kimmel
Niall Horan impressed with his chat show hosting skills on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' (ABC)

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.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 18: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY)  Niall Horan attends The BRIT Awards 2020 at The O2 Arena on February 18, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Jim Dyson/Redferns)
Niall Horan compared himself to Conan O'Brien as he made his talk show hosting debut. (Getty Images)

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."

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.

British boy band One Direction, from left, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Harry Styles attend the premiere of
Niall Horan [second left] with former One Direction bandmates Louis Tomlinson, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne and Harry Styles (AP)

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.

LOS ANGELES - MARCH 10: The Late Late Show with James Corden airing Monday, March 9, 2020, with guests Thandie Newton and Niall Horan. (Photo by Terence Patrick/CBS via Getty Images)
Niall Horan has made several guest appearnces on 'The Late Late Show' with James Corden. (CBS via Getty Images)

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.

Read more: One Direction's Niall Horan snaps foot ligaments in drunken injury

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.