eddington's profile was raised further when he played the title role of jim hacker in the comedy series "yes minister" (1980–84) and "yes, prime minister" (1986–88) – said to have been prime minister margaret thatcher's favourite tv programme. he was shortlisted four times for the bafta award for best light entertainment performance for the series, but he lost out to his co-star nigel hawthorne on each occasion.