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This one is not rocket science. Or is it?

You may be right.
I have the anagram solved. And rockets were involved.
But still struggling to solve 26d and 37a.
Will be back if I cannot figure them out.

26 is entered in reverse. Common abbreviations at the start an the end. 37 also in reverse. An anagram not in Chambers but possible to work out.
Mixed feelings about this one. Very clever construction but too many easy clues.

I looked at title and thought oh no, not the sodding Hobbit!

The relief was palpable and all (even the easy clues) is forgiven.

There need to be introductory Listeners for solvers 'transitioning' from, say, Azed and this was one of them. Easy clues and very easy to see which ones were reversed.

Help! Where do I find the puzzle on the Times website? I can't find the Puzzle Club section seems to have disappeared (tried mobile version and desktop version from my phone)

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/puzzleclub/crosswordclub/news/the-listener-crossword

This was one of the most enjoyable Listener puzzles I have ever done. To have constructed the grid containing so much thematic material, in the right order, is a work of art. My vote for puzzle of the year would go to this one. Thanks Stick Insect.

Thanks smithsax.
Your hint helped. (26, 37)

I enjoyed this although I think too many of the clues were on the easy side. Top marks for the theme though.

Don’t want to appear too grumpy but slightly surprised at a couple of the comments. Don’t want to give too much away to those still solving - I thought the positioning of the names was a nice touch but constructing an (asymmetric) grid around them would have been pretty straight forward and there’s not a load of other thematic material in the grid or the clues as far as I can see.

So while I disagree on the ingenuity of the grid, I do, as I say, agree this was a well put together and enjoyable solve.

Please help! I have the 3-word phrase but it only contains 2 "E"s and although I haven't filled the grid entirely, my 8dn already contains 3 (at crosses with 27, 40 and 42. Where have I erred and strayed? Thanks people.