
One of his early appearances was with the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Education company in the early 1970s, which also included two other well-known names; Elizabeth Estensen and Clive Hornby, both long-standing members of the Emmerdale cast. One of the songs Colin wrote for the company had the unforgettable lines: "I'm Flora McDribble, I live in the middle, Of bonnie Scotland - Och Aye the Noo!"
Colin Sell also accompanied Barry Cryer and Willie Rushton in their stage show "Two Old Farts in the Night". After the interval, Colin played (and sang) a solo: "We are the boys in the band".