Nicholas later returned to the stage, playing numerous roles on screen in both movie and television projects. In 1986 Nicholas continued to star in musicals including ‘Jekyll and Hyde’’, "Fidler On The Roof’' and "42nd Street’' which was directed by the shows author Mark Bramble. He starred as The Pirate King in Joseph Papp's version of "The Pirates of Penzance" at the London Palladium and the Manchester Opera House, touring again in the same role in the late 1990s. He starred in "Barnum" in the first national tour and followed this with a highly successful season at The Dominion Theatre in the West End. At the end of 1991, while touring with "Barnum", Nicholas was the subject of "This Is Your Life". For his services to show business and charity, Nicholas was awarded a Silver Heart from the Variety Club of Great Britain and a Gold Badge Award from BASCA. Nicholas then starred in the national tour of "Singin' in the Rain", which was directed by Tommy Steele.