Orchard was educated at Shrewsbury School and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He appeared as the flamboyant Duke of Montague, a cousin of Prince Edward, in the Cinderella film, The Slipper and the Rose (1976). He had a regular slot on Spike Milligan's The World of Beachcomber, a TV version of the "Beachcomber" pieces by J. B. Morton, appearing as the poet Roland Milk. His customary role was that of a gangling and effete – and sometimes effeminate – dandy.
He played Snodgrass in the TV musical Pickwick for the BBC in 1969, and appeared in several of the comedy Carry On films and the sex comedy Adventures of a Private Eye (1977).[3]
He appeared on BBC television as the "Minister for the Arts" in the episode of The Goodies entitled "Culture for the Masses"; and as one of the "mechanicals" in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
He played teacher Mr Oliver Pettigrew in the TV series Whack-O! in 1971 (the role having been created by Arthur Howard in 1956–60).
He played Cornelius Button in the 1971 London Weekend Television children's serial Grasshopper Island as an eccentric grasshopper expert who had lived on Grasshopper Island for many years.

Revenge of the Pink Panther
1978 · as Hospital Clerk

Cucumber Castle
1970 · as Julian the Lord Chamberlaine

The Prince and the Pauper
1977 · as . St.John

Crooks Anonymous
1962 · as Jeweller

Carry On Doctor
1967 · as Fred

The Slipper and the Rose
1976 · as Montague

Carry On Henry
1971 · as Duc de Pincenay

Don't Lose Your Head
1967 · as Rake (uncredited)

Bless This House
1972 · as Tom Hobbs

That's Carry On!
1977 · as Duc de Pincenay (archive footage)

Adventures of a Private Eye
1977 · as Police Cyclist

Kill or Cure
1962 · as PC Lofthouse

Follow That Camel
1967 · as Doctor

Perfect Friday
1970 · as Thompson

Man About the House
1974 · as Producer

The London Connection
1979 · as Driscoll

A Stitch in Time
1963 · as Man with Headache (uncredited)

The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother
1975 · as Man in Tails