From 1993 to 2000, Shelley wrote as a freelance writer for The Guardian's supplemental section The Guide.
His television criticism work initially appeared as a column under the alias of "Tapehead".
These were considered surrealistic reviews of current television, similar to the work of Victor Lewis-Smith and Charlie Brooker.
He also wrote for The Mail on Sunday's "Night on Day" section on soaps.
This biographical article related to British television is a stub.