He had two top twenty hits on the UK Singles Chart – "You're a Lady" (1972), which typifies his signature use of brass bands and choral arrangements for a nostalgic and romantic feel,[2][3] and "Hold On to Love" (1975).

In the 1980s, Skellern formed the band Oasis with Julian Lloyd Webber and Mary Hopkin and established a musical comedy partnership with Richard Stilgoe in cabaret.

[4] After developing an inoperable brain tumour, Skellern was ordained as a deacon and priest of the Church of England in October 2016.

[6] After graduating with honours in 1968, Skellern struggled to make headway in a career as a concert pianist and instead focused on pursuing popular music.

This followed his departure from Island Records after his previous album, Hard Times, had failed to chart despite a guest appearance by George Harrison.

[6] In the same year, he formed a group called Oasis with cellist Julian Lloyd Webber and Mary Hopkin.

[13] Skellern provided the voice of Carter Brandon in the BBC Radio adaptations of Peter Tinniswood's Uncle Mort's North Country.

Skellern collaborated with Richard Stilgoe in cabaret and in musical comedy with comic songs such as "Joyce the Librarian".

Toward the end of his career Skellern wrote pieces of sacred choral music, including "Waiting for the Word" (which was written for the BBC's Songs of Praise programme of 19 August 2001), Six Simple Carols and The Nativity Cantata written for a Hemel Hempstead choir, the Aeolian Singers.

[14] In October 2016, it was reported that Skellern had developed an inoperable brain tumour and that he had fulfilled a long-time desire to be ordained in the Church of England.