'I never thought I’d ever say “I’m going to Northern Ireland for gigs because it’s much safer'

Omid Djalili says he won’t let personal threats stop him from doing his gigs in Northern Ireland next week. 

The Anglo-Iranian comedian had to pull out of a gig in Shropshire last night because of security concerns linked to ‘the situation in Israel’.

But he has told Chortle he is ‘not deterred one bit from doing my gigs in Ireland next week’.

The 58-year-old said: ‘Having lived in Northern Ireland during The Troubles, I never thought I’d ever say "I’m going to Northern. Ireland for gigs because it’s much safer" but here we are.

And he said he was heartened by a fan telling him on Twitter: ‘Derry folk will look after you, my good man.’

Djalili studied English and theatre studies at Ulster University in Coleraine – having faked his A-level results to get a place.

On social media, he said that ‘due to threats’ he will be ‘hiding out in the following locations on the dates below’ - giving his dates in Derry on Tuesday and Belfast on Wednesday, followed by gigs in Dublin and Galway.

Djalili – who was born in London to Iranian parents – has been making frequent posts about the situation, calling for a ceasefire and speaking out about hate crimes directed at both Jewish and Palestinian people.

Tehran bankrolls Hamas, but the comic has been an outspoken critic of the regime, especially during the recent protests spearheaded by young women against the compulsory wearing of hijabs in public, leading to the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini after she had been arrested.

He this week said it was a disgrace Iran was chair of the UN Human Rights social forum in Geneva next month given its role in funding Hamas and Hezbollah.

West Mercia Police say no threat was reported to them over last night’s gig.

Published: 20 Oct 2023