Campbell was born on 10 April 1953 in Brisbane, and turned professional as a snooker player in 1982. Playing in only one tournament during the 1982/1983 season - the 1983 World Championship, he defeated Mike Watterson 10–6 in the first qualifying round and Jim Donnelly 10–2 in the second, to reach the main stages at the Crucible Theatre. There, he was drawn against former World Champion Cliff Thorburn but lost 5–10.