Adrian Poynton began his career as a comedian by making the finals of the Daily Telegraph Open Mic Award 1999 and Hackney Empire New Act Of The Year 2001. He won a Fringe First award in 2003 for his play based on Graham Chapman's life, A Very Naughty Boy.

In 2011, he created hite Van Man, which had the most-watched launch episode for a sitcom on BBC Three. It was dropped after two series, but picked up by America's ABC network for a remake called Family Tools.