Stephen Colbert Won't Bring Conservative Character to THE LATE SHOW

With CBS' surprise announcement that Stephen Colbert will succeed David Letterman as the host of THE LATE SHOW, most wondered if Colbert would be bringin his notorious conservative character from Comedy Central along with him.

"I won't be doing the new show in character," Colbert said in a statement released this afternoon, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "So we'll all get to find out how much of him was me. I'm looking forward to it.... "

Colbert, who locked down a five-year contract with the network, shared his excitement over his new hosting gig, in another statement released earlier today.

"Simply being a guest on David Letterman's show has been a highlight of my career," he said. "I never dreamed that I would follow in his footsteps, though everyone in late night follows Dave's lead." He added, "I'm thrilled and grateful that CBS chose me. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go grind a gap in my front teeth."

Jimmy Fallon, who recently took over hosting duties of NBC's TONIGHT SHOW from Jay Leno, turned to Twitter to welcome Colbert to his new late show time slot, posting: "I'd like to welcome the great @StephenAtHome to network late night and also congratulate him on his new name: Jimmy Colbert."

Also reacting to the news was Craig Ferguson, host of the 'Late Late Show' on CBS, posting on Twitter: "Congratulations to the hugely talented and fragrant and lovely @StephenAtHome on the new gig. Welcome to the CBS funhouse."

Watch Colbert's most recent Late Show appearance here!