Ellis was born in Pant, Rhosllannerchrugog, Denbighshire and was educated at Ruabon Grammar School.
He entered the mining industry, and in 1957 was appointed manager of the nearby Bersham Colliery.
Ellis had grown increasingly disaffected with the leftward direction of the Labour Party by the beginning of the 1980s.
Ellis finished second to the Conservative candidate Robert Harvey by 1,551 votes in a competitive three-way race.
At the 1987 general election, Ellis stood again in Clwyd South West, finishing a respectable third.