For many years he toured as a stand up comedian regularly performing in comedy clubs and theaters across the UK and Europe.
In 2003 his play, A Very Naughty Boy based on the life of Monty Python's Graham Chapman, won an Edinburgh Festival Fringe First award.
In 2013 White Van Man was remade in America as Family Tools for ABC with Poynton overseeing the show, writing episodes and serving as Co-Creator and Producer.
He remained in America for almost the next decade working as a writer, producer and script editor before returning home to the UK.
[6] He also wrote for the spin-off Jenny – The Doctor's Daughter starring his friend and White Van Man actress Georgia Tennant.