Richard's acting career boasts international recognition on stage, movies and TV.

Widely recognised as the 'Worlds best dramatic interpreter of Frank Sinatra', Richard won 'Best Actor' (Adelaide Festival) for his portrayal of Frank Sinatra in 'Sinatra: RAW' (UK, London and international tour) which he also wrote and was nominated 'Best Actor in a Leading Role' (Manchester Evening News Theatre Awards) for his performance as Frank Sinatra in the hard-hitting drama 'RAT PACK CONFIDENTIAL' on stage in London's West End. Richard's critically acclaimed show, 'SINATRA AND ME' charts the incredible synchronicity that exists between the two men and the astonishing similarities between them. Richard is a multi-award winner for 'Sinatra: RAW' which he performed on stages in London, across the UK, Australia, New York and Los Angeles.

Richard was also nominated ‘Best Supporting Actor’ in both the London and Chicago Horror Film Festival Awards for playing Detective Forbes in the multi-award winning short thriller movie, ‘DO NOT DISTURB’.

In the U.S., Shelton is best known for his role as Mr Benson in 'HOUSE OF LIES' on Showtime starring alongside Don Cheadle and Kristen Bell, Arnaud in 'JANE THE VIRGIN' on CW Network and Lord Poodle in 'THE BRITISHERS' on Showtime. In the U.K., Richard is best known to TV audiences as the charmingly murderous series regular, Dr Adam Forsythe in the long running drama, 'EMMERDALE' and the Archbishop of Canterbury in C4 comedy 'THE WINDSORS'.

Recent movie roles include Dr Sykes in 'BABUSHKA', Major Ian Marks in 'PALAU', Monsieur Phillipe in 'MY WEEK WITH MARILYN', the scheming British intelligence office Howard Marks in the Japanese cult hit movie 'JOKER GAME' (Cine Bazar), the charming crooner alongside Bill Nighy and Romola Garai in 'I CAPTURE THE CASTLE' (BBC Films), Dr Fulton in the L.A. based movie 'STUCK', Mikey in 'PRIMITIVE TECHNOLOGIES', Conrad Holmes in 'BRASH YOUNG TURKS', and Officer Therot in 'SPACEMAN'.

He has performed opposite Hollywood legend Richard Todd in 'A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED' and starred opposite Oscar nominated and Grammy award winner Tony Newley in 'SCROOGE-THE MUSICAL' as Young Scrooge on the London stage.

As a founder of The Bridewell Theatre in London, Richard has played Shakespeare roles in 'MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING', 'THE TEMPEST', 'JULIUS CAESAR', 'THE MERCHANT OF VENICE' and 'RICHARD III'. Richard has also starred on the West End stage as Jumping Jack Flash in the rock musical 'CARNABY STREET' and internationally as Harry Bright in 'MAMMA MIA!'.