Shappi Khorsandi is an award-winning stand-up comedian and writer.
Shappi established herself as one of the country’s finest comedians in 2006 with her sell-out Edinburgh show, Asylum Speaker.
Asylum Speaker told the story of how her family were forced to flee Iran and gain asylum in the UK. Her father’s popularity as a satirist attacking the regime has ensured they cannot return to Iran. As Shappi says, “obviously there’s free speech in Iran, but little freedom after you’ve spoken.”
This show led to the publication of her childhood memoirs, “A Beginner’s Guide To Acting English“, her best-selling literary debut.
Shappi’s career has taken her to all corners of the globe, she has appeared on countless TV & Radio shows including:
- Mock The Week
- 8 Out Of 10 Cats
- Have I Got News For You
- QI
- Just a Minute
- The News Quiz
- Loose Ends
- Quote…Unquote
In 2009, she hosted her own four-part series, Shappi Talk on BBC Radio 4, examining what it’s like growing up in multi-cultural families.
In November 2017, Khorsandi appeared as a contestant on the seventeenth series of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
She is proud of being a “spit & sawdust” stand-up comedian and one of her favourite things are pulling on her wellies, trudging through muddy fields, and performing at every music festival which has a comedy tent – from Glastonbury to the Secret Garden Party.
Khorsandi has received an honorary doctorate from Winchester University for her contribution to the arts and has received the prestigious James Joyce Award from Dublin University.
She is also currently hoping to receive an apology from Ealing Council for consistently failing to remove her bins on time…
Shappi has performed on the iconic television & live show for Amnesty Internation – The Secret Policeman’s Ball, as well as several series of Live At The Apollo and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow.
Her screenwriting debut was in the form of Sky’s Little Crackers and she has been commissioned to write a drama script for BBC Television.
Shappi Khorsandi is available for corporate stand-up performances and awards hosting.
