At the age of ten, Campbell attended the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre school. He made his stage debut in Amsterdam representing the United Kingdom at The Danny Kaye Awards, with Audrey Hepburn and Roger Moore also appearing at the ceremony. Ashley represented the UK for the promotions of the Michael Jackson Bad tour. At 11, Campbell made his West End debut in the Simon CallowProduction of “Carmen Jones” at The Old Vic. The following year, he went on to the Nicholas Hytner and Kenneth MacMillan production of “Carousel” at the Royal National Theatre.
At 16, he was awarded a scholarship to the Arts Educational London Schools on the three-year musical theatre course, graduating with the Ned Sherrin Award for the Most Outstanding All-Round Performer.
Campbell appeared as Sammy Davis Jr. in “The Rat Pack Live At the Sands” in the West End, UK, European and American tours. He was released from his contract in 2007/2008 to appear as “Mad Matty” in Jonathon Harvey’s “Jack and the Beanstalk”, under the direction of Giles Havergal MBE, at the Barbican. He returned to play “Sammy” in “Strictly the Rat Pack” for a 12-week extended run in Dublin. Before this, he played “Betty Boo” in “High Heel Parrot Fish” at Theatre Royal Stratford East, “Frankie and Moses” in “Gutted” (Soho Theatre West End), “Wilson” in Joe Orton’s play, “The Ruffian on the Stair” – (Barons Courts).
Ashley’s dream came true when he was cast in the lead role of “Leroy” in “Fame the Musical” on the National tour/ West End.
After a successful run as “Dromio of Syracuse” in the critically-acclaimed West End production of the “Bomb-itty of Errors” at the New Ambassadors (first British cast), Ashley was cast in the William Shakespeare series, From Bard to Verse (2004), on BBC 3 with Anthony Head and Ricky Tomlinson.
Most recently Ashley played “Peter” in Sondheim’s “Company” at The Gielgud, “Chulder Butler” in Doctor Who (BBC) Following regular appearances In Emmerdale and Hollyoaks he went on to appear as “D.C Wiley” in Coronation Street (ITV) He later had the pleasure of performing as “Jim” in “Just For One Day” the new musical about Live Aid at The Old Vic.
He is delighted to be returning to role of Sammy Davis Jnr in the original tribute to The Rat Pack and is looking forward to adding new layers to his portrayal of the greatest entertainer of the twentieth century.