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1d Baking has a sickly spread (7) only one that stumped me as I have never seen this word used thus.

Otherwise a pretty good Everyman.

I’m still trying to finish - any hint available for 1 down?
Thank you!

It starts with an anagram (sickly) of “has a” and ends with a three letter word meaning “spread” in the way that liquids can do.

The answer relates to a hot area of the planet which is so well known it’s become a euphemism for baking hot.

I think the adjective is for "baking hot " . (as in a desert )

Is it just me, or was that absolutely horrible?! So many ropy clues this week: 11A one 8-letter word rather than two 4-letter words -- really?; 16A surely stretches the definition of 'utensil'; 25A 'up' used to indicate anagram, as far as I can make out! And if anyone can fully parse 5D, I'd be much obliged -- I haven't got a clue where invasion/lost area comes into it.

5d is the first and last name of a famous Liverpool striker with 'a' removed.

Of course! Thanks Barny. I didn't even think of including the first name when trying to parse (not least because this setter hardly ever bothers with them in the answers)! Once again, though, true to form, he/she seems to be firmly rooted in the 80s!

Cant see 12ac for some reason. Have an idea but how the parsing works beats me. Any help please.

Nothing wrong with the 80's. My music era I'm almost ashamed to say

re 12a: the definition is "dumbly"

You want another word for "disrespect" and then change the "o" for an "i"