Have a look at Choisia . . . there are several varieties.

Have you looked at Euyonymus fortunii Emerald 'n gold? It might not be big enough but its totally reliable and bright all through the year.

There's always Aucuba japonica variegata if you like it but it does look a bit depressing as it gets older (just my feeling)
Or perhaps an azalea or one of the smaller rhododendrons?

I have a golden escallonia called Ellen's gold I think . Doing Ok in part shade and has magenta flowers in summer. New leaves pale yellow maturing to green.

Fatsia's are nice,they can grow quite big,but I keep mine pruned to the height I like.

Check out Rhododendron 'President Roosevelt'
Description: A superb rhododendron - quite different from the many varieties available as it has striking variegated evergreen leaves. These form a background to the trusses of bright red flowers each with a white centre.

http://www.provendernurseries.co.uk/factsheet_detail.cfm?FID=394&FactsheetName=rhododendron-president-roosevelt

although not golden foliage I love skimmia. if you get a male and a female you will get flowers in late spring, red berries [usually though a white berried one is available] in the autumn and the flower buds form now and are often coloured. the male plant just doesn't produce the berries. if neighbours have a male plant then you could just get the female one. I have these in quite deep shade as well as light shade.

Reevesiana and Temptation are said to be self fertile skimmias if you decide to choose that option.

Choisya ternata 'sundance' is the name I couldn't quite remember (and spelled wrongly - sorry). Golden leaves, white flowers and scent.

Quite a choice here for you to decide between Gerardine!

Most golden shrubs would really need good sunlight to keep their colour. We all have our favourites and mine would be Cornus Canadensis. This a low, creeping Cornus which prefers an acid soil. Small white flowers in early summer which turn to berries. Makes excellent ground cover.

Oh, I thought they did better in shade, Jimmy?! My Philadelphus 'aurea' (and, in fact, Choisya ternata) are both in dappled shade and keep their colour well. But maybe I've just been lucky . . .

My E, fortunii keep colour in a north facing bed. It was only when I tried one in deep shade at the base of a large tree that it went bit green, and who could blame it...

thank you so much for all your replies.I,ll take a note of all your suggestions and have a look round.The rhododendron appeals to me as long as it doesnt grow too big.!

Best check your soil pH if you haven't already then.