Jimmy Kimmel announces he will be taking rest of summer off from hosting late-night show

TV host says he 'just needs a couple of months off'

Jimmy Kimmel has announced he will be taking the remainder of the summer off from hosting his late-night show to spend more time with his family.

On Thursday, ahead of an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! the 52-year-old, who has been filming the show remotely during the coronavirus pandemic, said: “Tonight is my last new show for the summer. I'm taking the summer off to spend even more time with my family."

“I've been doing this job for almost 18 years, I've done 3,130 shows," he continued. "And there's nothing wrong - my family is healthy, I'm healthy - I just need a couple of months off."

According to Kimmel, the show will take a two-week hiatus, before it returns with guest hosts.

“While I’m gone, a cavalcade of very kind and capable people will be filling in for me,” Kimmel explained, adding: “I think you're gonna be very happy with them.”

During his announcement, Kimmel was interrupted by Matt Damon, who appeared in a bathrobe and joked that he had been living in the late-night host’s guest bedroom for three months “waiting to get on” the show.

Kimmel’s decision to take some time off comes after it was recently announced that he would be hosting the Emmy Awards on 20 September.

Kimmel, who has hosted the award show twice before said: "I don't know where we will do this or how we will do this or even why we are doing this, but we are doing it and I am hosting it.”