Shelley trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. Her television credits include Yasmeen Nazir in Coronation Street, Bubbly Sharma in Tandoori Nights, and Jay Harper in Angels—her first acting job. She was awarded a full Equity card in 1977 for Angels, as there were reportedly no other mixed-race women fitting the character’s description in the actors’ union at that time, which operated as a closed shop.

She has been a core member of Tara Theatre (formerly Tara Arts) and is proud to have performed in Jatinder Verma’s production of Molière’s Tartuffe at the Royal National Theatre from January 1990 to December 1991, touring both nationally and internationally.

Shelley has also worked closely with Kali Theatre—founded by Rukhsana Ahmad and Rita Wolf—collaborating with Artistic Directors Janet Steel and the late, much-loved Helena Bell, both as an actor and as Chair.