Live webchat with comedian Shappi Khorsandi on Red Nose Day (Friday 18 March, 1.30-2.30pm)

[RachelMumsnet]

To fire us up for Red Nose Day we've got award winning comedian Shappi Khorsandi joining us on Friday between 1.30 and 2.30 pm. A single mum, Shappi will be spending Friday afternoon at a nursery 'rave' with other parents from her son's nursery to raise money for Comic Relief and as well as answering your questions, she's keen to hear about your plans for raising cash on Red Nose Day.

The daughter of an exiled writer and comic from Iran, Shappi's upbringing has been in no way conventional. On arriving in London from Tehran, her family were still not safe. As assassins chased after them, they went into hiding and tried to leave a normal life - seeing friends, going to school whilst checking under the car for bombs. Shappi set out to tell her story on the comedy circuit in the late '90s and has since toured across Britain and the US with her live shows. She's a regular on TV and Radio, including appearances on Have I Got News For You, Live at the Apollo, Quote, Unquote and Just a Minute and presented her own Show 'Shappi Talk' for Radio 4. Her memoir, A Beginner's Guide To Acting English was published in 2009.

Send a question to Shappi or join in the Red Nose Day chat and you'll be entered into a draw to win one of five sets of two tickets to a venue of your choice Shappi's forthcoming UK tour, An Evening With Shappi Khorsandi.

Remember that there's a serious purpose to all this, folks which is to raise money for Comic Relief to help people across the UK and Africa. Have a look at the website, and if you feel inspired to fundraise by doing something funny for money, you can set yourself up with a Red Nose Day Giving Page. If you want to get your children involved, there's a special RND kids website and a Kids Fundraising Kit.

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Ooh lovely! I think she's fab.

Can't think of anything serious at the moment, other than to ask if Shappi is on Twitter?

Will come back when I've thought of something sensible.

[fridascruffs]

Hi Shappi, I just wanted to tell you I always smile when you come on the radio, before you've even cracked a joke.
My question- do you like being a single mother? We're all supposed to want the mum dad 2.4 kids scenario but I find I quite like doing what i want when I want without any other adults to put a damper on it (though the kids have a good go sometimes!) Do you?

[Hassled]

I love Shappi and I especially like the picture of Shappi and her brother in his underpants that was in the Guardian last week.
Little Shappi, Cute Brother
Big Shappi Cute Brother

I realise this isn't a question but felt the need to share.

[BecauseImWorthIt]

What kind of humour makes you laugh, Shappi? And - not really two questions , but kind of humour do you not find funny?

(If you'd like to name names, that would be an added bonus )

[jugglingjo]

Hi Shappi,

I've loved watching you, especially on Live at the Apollo, but have noticed you sometimes sail close to the wind regarding your humour

Do you find this invigorating, necessary to gain good speed, and fun?

Have you ever gone too far and had the boom come flying across and wack you on the head?

( To take the analogy to it's full conclusion - hope I've got my sailing facts right there - it's been a while since I've been in a boat - though nothing like messing about on the river !)

Lots of love, Jo

[scottishmummy]

funny funny lady!love when she does her sister is in da hood jokes.post a question later

[ShowyTech]

Oh fabulous. I do like Shappi. And she's quite beautiful. I'll come up with a well thought out question later when I've had a bath and some earl grey. Well, I might...

[scottishmummy]

why do you think the dual cultures makes such good comedians eg you,Sanjeev Singh Kohli

think you both really funny and well observed

[NotShortImFunSized]

Hello Shappi, welcome to the mad house

Just wanted to know if you always wanted to be a comedian or if it kind of just happened?? If not, what did you want to be instead?

I think you're hilarious so you picked the right job

[JulesJules]

She is @ShappiKhorsandi on twitter!

Will come back when I have a proper question...

[TheDailyWail]

Hi Shappi,

Do you think that you would have had as many people willing to listen to the story of your upbringing if you had not been funny?

I mean, do you think it's easier to tell more of the rotten/difficult stuff knowing that you can inject humour into it and the audience are more receptive to listening to the story, laugh and think about it seriously a little later?


BTW I think you're very funny. In a good way, of course.

[dawntigga]

I have no questions except to say how much I love you're comedy. Every time some numpty says women can't be funny I name you in the top 5 woman who are bloody hilarious.

[SuckUpEmoticon]Tiggaxx

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

message deleted by kreecher herself.

[AlmaMartyr]

Hi Shappi,
I've heard other female comedians (can't remember who though ) saying that panel shows like Mock the Week are difficult for women because the male banter means women can't or don't get heard. Have you found that to be true?

[JulesJules]

I was going to ask a similar question to Alma.

It really annoys me , watching shows like Mock the Week and QI how they are almost always all male panels. Just occasionally. there will be one woman on, (never more than one) as if they think "Oooh, better get a token woman on, haven't had one for a while".

Does this drive you mad? Does it feel like being a woman footballer?

[Tortington]

shappi...you rock

[nigglewiggle]

Hello Shappi,

I saw you in Ilkley this year and I thought you were fantastically funny and engaging. On the strength of this, I bought your book and so far I have not been disappointed!

I notice that the theme of food runs through your book (a woman after my own heart) and I was wondering if you have considered writing a humorous cook book? and if you did, would you include a recipe for tomato soup.

[shouldnotbehere]

Hello Shappi,

I saw you and your brother in Newtown last year, and thought you were both superb.

It was the first time I'd ever seen a comedien live. Later in the year I saw Reginald D Hunter and Steve Jones, they were funny, but you and your brother were funnier. Reginald Hunters tickets were twice as expensive as yours too. Grrr.

I'd like to suggest you visit Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury. I can then take my parents to see you!

oooh question, umm err, snog shag or marry - Andre Agassi, David Dickinson, Frank Bruno?

Just thought of a second, you always seem a motivated and driven person, how do you do it? I frequently struggle with this, and have to fight my inner couch potato.

[Mirrorball]

Shappi, my question is: do you think you have ever bettered your joke about circumcision?

The analogy you used was "when you have greasy hair, you don't chop off your head do you?". I think about this joke EVERY DAY of my life, mostly when I'm walking my dog. Genius. Love it.

[Mirrorball]

Oh and you are my most favourite comedian. When the roadshow programmes are on, I'm like 'No, No, Michael McWhooo? NO. Shappi YES!"

[fairtradefloozy]

Just read your book. It was funny but also very eloquently made the points about cultural differences and challenges.

I guess my questions is how do the Iranian community relate to you in your new guise as single mother; as well as quite "on the edge" commedienne. Are they supportive or a little censorious?

Keep up the good work.

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Unfortunately I can't make the webchat now, as I have a meeting.

I look forward to catching up later today.

[dotnet]

Hello Shappi - just a message to say how nice of you it was to put up a message of support to the students on Facebook on the day of their last demonstration.

Any ideas for helping strengthen the opposition to tuition fees? Funny people are quite influential, so you's a powerful woman.

Thanks again Shappi, you're one of the good 'uns.

[MaryAnnSingleton]

hello Shappi - just wanted to ask you whether you know if I can claim Iranian citizenship,being born in Tehran (in the days when it was still Persia) - if I wanted ? My dad was working out there as an architect building the airport. My parents thought it was a very beautiful country -certainly looked lovely in photographs -there are lots of pictures of them in snow up mountains. I was looked after by a Persian lady who blacked my eyebrows with burnt cork as I was so fair and wanted to shave my hair off like Persian babies.
I do look forward to hearing you whenever you're on R4