Riley spent his formative years  in Greater Manchester. Although he began his career training as  a motor mechanic,  Riley studied performance  at the Grange Arts Centre in Oldham, where he was a awarded   best improved student of his year. Riley then went onto to complete a BA Hons in Theatre Studies at Bretton Hall College where he focussed on drama and acting. After graduation Riley toured with  Hull Truck Theatre Company around the  UK in the acclaimed production of Bouncers. Riley later trained in London with the International Actors Lab where he learned The Strasberg Method.   Riley has also studied voice with Sarah Case and Richard Ryder.  Riley career  has spanned  performances  in theatre, film,  television and in commercials:  including  the controversial Barnardos Campaign depicting children being hunted down by adults and the Brothers Quay series of ice hockey commercials for Fox TV.  Riley has collaborated with Mark Norfolk and Prussia Lane Productions on many projects including the award winning film ,  Crossing Bridges.  Riley wrote, performed and toured with his own one man show, Six Pina Coladas' around the north of England  and also wrote , directed and starred in the  short film,  I Am Here, which was selected  for the Elevation Indie Film Awards in 2018, and  for the LA Film Festival.  Riley has more recently performed all the male parts, (including men playing women)  in the popular Dramafy Radio comedy series Tantallon Tales, created by Storm Gordon in 2022/ 2023.  Riley recently performed in the Edinburgh Festival 2023 in the production of  Wallace by Derek Douglas , a play praised by reviewer Hugo Simpson as having  'compelling ..integrity'" Riley performance as Wallaces Jailor was noted for his portal of  ' matter-of-fact nastiness '.