Dooley was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. He studied at the Arden School of Theatre in Manchester between 1992 and 1995.
Dooley's first acting role was as Shaun in Groove On a Stanley Knife in 1997. He later played Ritchie Fitzgerald in Coronation Street from 1997 until 1998. He also appeared occasionally in EastEnders as Tom Stuart between 2001 and 2004 until he was replaced during his filming of The Street. He also had a role in P.O.W (TV Series) alongside Joe Absolom.
Dooley played Peter Ha