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dazedandconfused - Are you sure you have chosen the two required names in the completed grid - although possible alternatives - only 2 are not anagrams and are indeed a 'swap'

Many thanks Meursalt and Crates. That's the second time recently that Mrs D&C has led my up the wrong garden path.
I will have to stop delegating end games to her, and trust in the compiler. As they say, if it looks wrong, it is wrong.

Just want to check that I have understood the submission format correctly. We highlight the three cryptic works. But we don’t need to highlight the two creators? Just swap the letters?

That's the way I understand it, Merenz. Highlight 26 cells.

Thanks for the information.

Thanks Meursault

Daft really..... I've completely finished the endgame but I still haven't solved 18a. I think all the crossing Downs are correct but the unchecked cell remains blank because I can't find a word that fits. If I had to suspect one of the Downs, it would be 1d but my answer seems to fit the clue perfectly. So, I'd appreciate a hint (not the answer, please) for 18a. I know the escaped letter which I assume becomes the 4th letter of the second word but the wordplay escapes me. Thanks in advance.

Hi Simond9x, as you already have everything except the 3rd letter, it's difficult to say anything without actually giving you the answer. It's a girl's name. A lesser known version of a well-know first name and surname (singer with smash hit single from 1979, from the perspective of a dumped woman). N has escaped from the 2nd word, simple 3-letter synonym of that reversed around a 3-letter word for 'a' drink. Escapee forms 2nd letter of 4th word.

Thanks, Meursault. Got it now. Never seen it spelled like that before - I'm obviously placing too much reliance on Chambers!

Soon be my bedtime and I'd appreciate help in finishing this hard mental work-out so that it doesn't keep me awake. I too have managed to achieve the end game - that the 2nd person was at my old school was an advantage. But still don't have 43ac, or 5dn! This is probably the most difficult I have yet attempted and consider my approaching hibernation well earned. MTIA