There are lots of channels supporting militias that are killing Iraqis and coalition forces, but when we call for them to be shut down or taken to court, it never happens because their supporters control the government, he says. All of which gives him a complex perspective on the cancel culture debate in the West. On the one hand, he wants TV shows that promote bigotry shut down: in Iraq, he points out, such material is far more likely to lead to actual violence.

On the other hand, though, he is alarmed at any moves to silence opposing views, as long as theyre expressed peacefully. If the West doesnt have it [freedom of speech], it means the whole world wont have it, he says. Unless it gets to the point of people carrying guns and blood on the streets, I think people should argue and have debates, it is fine.

Theres even been calls for Albasheer to enter politics, following in the footsteps of fellow comedian Volodymyr Zelensky, who became president of Ukraine last year. After all, in countries with chaotic, dysfunctional politics, a sense of the absurd is arguably advantageous.

So when does he think Iraq might be tolerant enough for him to return to do a few stand-up gigs in Baghdad? Once they take down the militias in Iraq,once Iran stops interfering in our country, and once we have people who understand each other, he says, laughing. In other words, dont try to book any time soon.

Once Upon a Time in Iraq continues tonight on BBC Two

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Ahmed Albasheer: if freedom of speech is under threat in the West, the rest of us will never have it - Telegraph.co.uk