Poulton began his radio career at the age of 16 when he joined Radio City in Liverpool, where he worked as a technician. His first full-time presenter's role was with Marcher Sound in Wrexham, North Wales. In 1993 he joined the now defunct Sunset Radio in Manchester as a presenter and commercial producer. By 1994 he had moved to Atlantic 252 where he presented the mid-morning show. In 1995 he moved to Invicta FM in Kent and presented the evening show. He later went to Kiss 105 in Yorkshire where he launched the station as breakfast show presenter. He stayed with Kiss 105 for its entire existence, moving across the Pennines to its newly branded sister station Galaxy 102 after the sale of both stations to the Chrysalis group in 1997.