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I think there may be an error with 15d Bangladeshi cricket team is good among the ranks (5) which I assume is TIGERS, and 24a Bleaching vat for either labour leader (4) which I assume is KIER. However the 4th letter of 15d (E) is a checker with the 2nd letter of 24a (I) so something seems amiss, unless I can’t see the wood from the trees? Could the setter have misspelt Kier as Keir?

Sorry, small error in my post too! 15d has 6 letters, not 5.

Mmmm - Starmer is Keir!

Doh! Thanks Chrise. Still an error though as I think the vat version is kier…! In any case I think I’ll stick to the Times!

And the bleaching vat can be spelled with the vowels in either order, according to Chambers. That aside, I thought is was a pretty dull crossword and the theme was obvious early on. Didn’t outlast a cuppa.

I live and learn. I got it finished when the theme penny dropped. A number of clues somewhat easier than normal for the Speccie, I thought.

Hmmm. I have the celebrity pairs and what they're known as. That leaves one unclued light which should have two words. I can't see them, given the cross-checking letters, or how anything fits the theme. A rare Speccie failure for me, especially with a Doc not referring to Brewer's Dictionary!

Hi Mr Codger, Are you allowing for one of the celebrities having a 3-part name?

Is your missing answer 31 down? (6 letters) If so the split is 2, 4.

This has to be my quickest solve for a Speccie.
It took me longer to draw the grid than finish the solve. 😀