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An Iranian-British comedienne whose "Beginner's Guide to Acting English" was published in July says being a comedian was her "childhood dream."

It wasn't happenstance that Shappi Khorsandi, who is in her mid thirties, became interested in comedy from a young age. Her father, Hadi Khorsandi, was a respected satirical columnist in Iran; but one of his articles drew much controversy after angering the newly established Islamic regime and almost led to his execution.

"Dad's offices were mobbed," Shappi told The Birmingham Evening Mail. "Everybody started chanting for his execution. Dad opposed extremism in all forms, which made him a target in Iran."

Shortly before, Shappi's uncle, then 19, was killed while demonstrating during the 1979 revolution. "He [Hadi] had to get out, then made a home in Britain. But even when we were living here, we knew dad's life was in real danger. I'd look for assassins in the hedgerows."

When Shappi was six years old, the family-which includes her older brother Peyvand-immigrated to England, where Shappi, now a mother of one, works as a comedian and writer.

She told the Iran Times she became interested in comedy ... >>>