Having done a workshop with Andrew Lloyd Webber, he returned to West End theatre in 1981 to create the role of Rum Tum Tugger in Lloyd Webber's musical "Cats". He then originated the title role in "Blondel" by Sir Tim Rice and Stephen Oliver. That same year, he starred in "Two Up, Two Down", a short-lived sitcom co-starring Su Pollard. In 1983, he got his first high-profile television role as Vince Pinner in "Just Good Friends". The show, for which Nicholas also sang the theme tune, was a success. He was also nominated for a BAFTA.