[1] He studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and was awarded the James Tubbs and Sons Prize for his violin playing in 1909.

He often performed with his "Hornchestra", a contraption of his own invention consisting of motor and other horns with different notes attached to a large metal frame.

In 1935, he recorded a stag party in his own flat, and suggested to Eric Maschwitz at the BBC that an edited version be broadcast.

[8] In 1939, he fronted a further radio series, Stanelli's Crazy Cruise, another comedy variety show, in which he played the role of a ship's captain.

He also acted in the films Hearts of Humanity (1936), Old Mother Riley Overseas (1943), and Dear Mr. Prohack (1949), all in small bit-parts.