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perhaps we just remove his head ?

Hi Bunty & Nelson, for what it's worth my take is;
The preamble states the grid fill will show him appropriately and there is reference to space(s) available and 1 clue with wordplay providing an extra letter has 2 definitions and is entered using the given wordplay. This is 13a with 1 definition relating to the 5 letter entry and confirmation of the "missing" letter given by the second; (o)ur in bro (attractive place, see Chambers 2nd definition).
I don't submit so I could be wrong in thinking he is then removed in entirety but that seems to make the above pointless !

I am with Ginge on this. Removing him entirely leaves real words. Why go to all that bother if that wasn't meant?

I'm with you both!

. . . but might the puzzle title have something to do with it?

Hi again nelson, isn't that just a reference to the theme after 18d ?

I'm struggling bottom left, can I have a clue on 27d?
Some bad sins are rare, so don't worry. (4)
Looks like a hidden letter mix type.

the defn is sins .... answer comes out of the jumble ...rare - s ... (A is extra)

Thanks, got it. That should help crack the SW corner, and the last part of the message too.

My (very tenuous) approach to the end game was:

13 across with the extra definition "Jack" - take the head from "Walter" leaving "Burro" as the entry for said 13 across; Jack defining donkey.

maybe.....