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Candlestick- it’s the sixth word of the seven in the instruction that you need to concentrate on when comparing the grid and text.

Morning Meursault. Trust you are well. I've been struggling with a few overnight and oscillating back and forth with the Grauniad hasn't helped. 43ac seems impossible. 20, 32 and 33 dn also elude me and I can't be arsed sleeping on it so any help (including Scotch!) welcome

I have a full grid, albeit it with some unparsed eg 8d, 33d. However, I have no idea of the second word of the instruction, nor how to use the "normal"clues to get the theme.

Tips please?

Morning Bazotto, I hope you are well too. They used to say that I had shares in scotch, but I was told a few years ago to change my ways...43a a fruit which is the opposite of handsome inside a 3-letter Indian bread, all reversed; 20d def is 'Go', shortening for over followed by anagram; 32d cordial as in a drink additive, when young I used to get 8 balls of it for a halfpenny; 33d anatomical term for 'of the nostrils'

Hi Dylan, 2nd word of instruction is template

I have other commitments now, so best wishes to everyone, enjoy the holiday...

Dylan, the very first post will help you with the 2nd word of instruction.
Look at a fixed point in each of the 'normal' clues. On this occasion it is one of the obvious fixed points!

Hi Dylan - 8dn for "on this side" read short less initial letter. 33dn air in computer network (rising). 2nd word has been mentioned previously in this thread - 8 letters. Normal clues give theme in a fairly standard way, sometimes they use initial letters of clues, but other options are available ....

I’ve started this one late and am making headway. I seem to be well stuck on 23ac. A nudge would be appreciated, thanks.

Would someone please give me a broad hint to the answer to 22a, which I have spent hours trying to solve? It baffles me completely. I assume the definition is the last word of the clue. I have .TON, with an omitted P. The only thing I can come up with is PUT-ON. But the wordplay? Many thanks.

Hi theragman, your T is wrong. A 6 letter word for Japan minus the first letter gives a Sumo wrestling score.

Remove initial letter from alternative word for Japan. That gives 5 letter word.