Roger Allam loves that fans Endeavor to solve the mystery of the sandwich fillings

ROGER ALLAM as DCI Fred Thursday (Mammoth Screen/ITV) Film 5 An assassination attempt at an international sporting event opens a new case for Endeavour (Sean Evans) and Thursday (Roger Allam), but their investigation is quickly brought to an unexpected end. While Thursday wants to step away, Endeavour is determined to find out more, and secretly undertakes to discover the truth. He soon finds himself embroiled in the dark dealings of espionage, big business and a long-held secret that goes to the very heart of the Oxford community. While Endeavour chases down the real story behind the assassination, Thursday works closer to home, attempting to protect a battered wife from her violent husband. When tragedy strikes, Thursday has to make a tough moral decision about how to administer justice. Away from the case, Endeavour has to face up to heartbreak with an unexpected departure. This photograph is (C) iTV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Plc Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itvpictures.com For further information please contact: Patrick.smith@itv.com 0207 1573044

THERE’S a real crime feast on ITV this week with Endeavour continuing tonight as well as the new run of Marcella (tomorrow at 9pm).

But it’s a feast of another kind that viewers have taken an interest in with Endeavour, the story of the early days of copper Morse – what’s on the sandwiches his boss DCI Fred Thursday leaves home with daily?

They’ve been so fascinated, enquiries have been made of the show’s production team.

“It’s lovely that people enjoy that,” smiles Roger Allam, who plays the dependable senior detective.

“Thursday’s sandwiches are one of those little continuity things people love.

“It’s just one of the aspects that marks the series out as somewhat different to Inspector Morse, Lewis or a lot of other police and crime shows.

“There are Thursday family stories and Morse’s involvement with them that are not to do with the whodunit element.”

Veteran Roger rings the changes between series with other memorable roles, such as playing an army officer in BBC’s gripping Missing.

He’s always happy to step back in time to don Thursday’s hat and overcoat to revisit the ’60s.

“There are always historical reminders in Endeavour,” says Roger.

“Our writer Russell Lewis has been very clever about the way he’s done that as we’ve gone through the decade – the World Cup, Summer of Love, all that sort of thing.”

There was one part of the filming that he wasn’t too keen on – putting on his dancing shoes.

“My dancing skills are non-existent,” he adds. “I’ve been in musicals, so I’m not completely two left-footed.

“But I’d never done ballroom dancing before.”

Endeavour, ITV, tonight, 8pm.