Trevor Noah took the stage for Tuesday night's broadcast of 'The Daily Show' but appeared to have left one rather important tool behind in his dressing room: his voice.

Last month the South African-born comedian revealed that what he thought was a sore throat turned out to be bruising on his vocal cords - so he vowed to take it easy for a little while.

However, apparently Noah didn't give himself enough of a break, and has now been told by his doctor that if he doesn't stop using his voice entirely for the foreseeable future, he runs the risk of needing surgery or losing his voice entirely.

Tuesday's broadcast show kicked off just like any other night, the energetic theme song blaring as Noah walked onto the set waving to the enthusiastic crowd as he made a B-line for his desk - only to find correspondent Michael Kosta already sitting in his seat.

As Noah sat down uncomfortably close to Kosta, his co-anchor for the night announced: 'Welcome to The Daily Show, I'm Trevor Noah.'

Trevor Noah (right) hosted Tuesday night's episode of 'The Daily Show' without speaking after being told by his doctor that if he doesn't give his vocal chords a rest he could end up needing surgery or losing his voice entirely. Instead, the South African-born comedian's script was delivered by correspondent Michael Kosta (left) as Noah made accompanying hand gestures

The News Team Steps In for Trevor Trevor left his heart in South Africa… and his voice! Posted by The Daily Show on Tuesday, 4 December 2018 =68.ARCSPZo6W-RHiT6ZSnnn7oEII030WasUJ-zetGB_taQ67pMya-W3frhRtLvPb635kjC9IH5Kf1yY7TyI3Bcxk3Zd6M836u8-39Jjc4dFr0uN0kDaSi6PAKfr8zSqvkwv3B0ZVf-y3mJ52Ev4id5CGcnIqMBh4qB_niGuja8AeGjgP5O4WUbtTWjhHqKObYmL67xzcWnLMwoQXAyegOgW9Q03NAP70uCUpN8Xye0rClbLvWiuA540cwxPlqb9WkN41B4Jm6rz9kYy-Zf1DVqdxBIdNm9wvqIgxLMuAIwrQFHSFqKt2r59MYBpMw6QNYV5sHojr0QXm2Ft3wHd4_Q-GdNMgqk&__tn__=-R]

'Before we begin, you've probably noticed that this is a little different,' Kosta said, acknowledging that he is not, in fact, Trevor Noah.

Noah communicated through animated hand gestures as Kosta explained: 'Well, what happened was, over the weekend, I lost my voice and my doctor told me not to speak at all or I might get surgery, so I cannot say a word. Luckily, I have Michael Kosta to be my voice for today.

'His voice might not be as soothing as mine, he doesn't pronounce the word controversy right, but he'll say everything just the way I would say it including the n-word,' Kosta said as Noah grimaced.

'Just joking, he'll be fired before the word leaves his lips,' Kosta clarified.

He continued to explain how Noah had lost his voice while attending the Global Citizen Festival honoring his 'personal hero' Nelson Mandela in South Africa over the weekend.

Noah lost his voice while hosting the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 on Saturday in Johannesburg, South Africa

During the quick trip home he also caught up with his grandmother and discussed what it was like being black during Apartheid. That interview was shown on Monday night's Daily Show broadcast.

'It was an experience that meant a lot to me, and to all my South Africans back home, I just want to say "giabunga"', Kosta said as Noah erupted in a silent fit of laughter.

'That's definitely how you say it,' Kosta assured the audience.

'Anyway, we're still going to do the show the way we normally do. So lets catch up on today's headlines.'

The show went on with the same tone as it always does - just with a different voice and the addition of a mime - played by Noah.

When the script to racial issues, Kosta scurried off the stage pretending to receive an urgent phone call as fellow Daily Show correspondent Roy Wood Jr stepped in to be Noah's voice.

Correspondent Desi Lydic took over when it was time to interview the night's guest, musician Anderson .Paak.

When it came time to discuss racial issues, Kosta stepped aside and let correspondent Roy Wood Jr (left) deliver Noah's lines

GOP Power Grabs With Trevor on vocal rest, Roy Wood, Jr. steps in to report that lame duck Republicans are still on their voter suppression game… a month after the midterm elections. Full episode: https://on.cc.com/2KZbgKg Posted by The Daily Show on Tuesday, 4 December 2018 =68.ARCVNGtX2MtXGrkO6Mu8tiRmmP9uRTYJnL6DnaX352Iop80YiD3y5YJI_0uKJ9UmsFRwTs0bqg6HNSqaYsxvto4Oqv_OV8IWbqstbTsVagWthkHC-0uPhqWdKm7qZG2leHTc-RLWFae6b1WFghd1szgGi2Zy2n8sOURXVAzl4noKBhRKjNu2QRpm0guBCVLJHb9OcUI3ZIlPny9VPXbf0yYIPH4q7hu-qL5PmlboxpxSHj-1QeL3ZrCxojm1oVOm24XaHrpXFqFoEYOC0SwfqrIqHTXx0XwFjYykD5foVzV7qkvX8zSCqsB_EhPQPsz9bCL3PjQXHM-yj_xYG1dsHq-WN_M&__tn__=-R]

Desi Lydic (center) took over during the interview segment with musician Anderson .Paak (left)

Just before the show aired, Noah took to social media to explain the situation more directly, writing in Twitter and Instagram posts: 'Hi Everyone, As you'll know when you watch the show tonight I don't have a voice right now.

'I thought that my vocal cords were healed but according to the doctor, flying 36 hours and hosting a giant concert in South Africa didn't help me. So now if I want to get better I have to take it seriously so that I can perform at 100% on my new tour next year.

'I hate cancelling shows but I also hate the idea of losing my voice forever so I'm postponing all this year's stand up shows and rehabbing the voice. I'm gonna be like The Rock but in a voice gym. Thank you again for the love and support. I appreciate you.'

Noah warned his Daily Show audience that his voice was out of commission in a note posted on Twitter and Instagram just before the show aired on Tuesday night

In early November Noah revealed that his vocal chords had been severely bruised

The comedian was set to perform at least seven shows before the end of the year, which now appear to be cancelled.

It is unclear whether he will kick off his 11-month Loud & Clear Tour on January 11 as expected.

It is also unclear what 'The Daily Show' broadcasts will look like going into the final weeks of 2018 if Noah remains unable to speak.

Early last month Noah had posted a similar message about his vocal woes on social media, writing: 'Hi everybody. I just found out from my doctor that what I thought was just a mild sore throat is actually bruising of my vocal cords.

'The good news is that I caught it in time, the bad news is that I have to reschedule the shows I had planned for this weekend in Milwaukee, Illinois and Connecticut.

'I'm genuinely sorry to everyone who was coming to the shows. I promise to make it up to you. For now it's total silence, a bit of steroids and a lot of rest.'