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I found this Everyman a bit more difficult than those of recent weeks, In fact, I still have one clue I just can't get.......

25a Withholding sex appeal, not a Beatles song primarily wanting for orchestration! (3,2,2) - L?T ?T ?E

It looks like it has to be the iconic Beatles classic, but the clue specifically says that it isn't - but what else fits?

I'm also not entirely convinced about 27a,...

They say Mr Broadbent's tired with sportswear (3,5)

where it appears to be asking for a homophone (they say) of "Mr Broadbent" and a synonym for "tired". The first word is straightforward, but the second one seems to be a word that means 'rubbish' not 'tired' (at least according to Chambers) - unless I've got it wrong.

I'll keep going for another while but, if I have no PDM, I'll look at both clues again with fresh eyes in the morning.

I'd be interested to hear the views of others - do you think it was more difficult than usual?

Feel free to leave a comment and/or ask for a hint.

I haven’t managed to parse 25a either but 27a works for me. Is your second word a verb? It’s what Mr. Broadbent would be doing if he were exhausted.

Ahhh!!! Thanks Rainman, I was fixated on the noun version of the word, hence I thought it looked wrong but, of course, you're right - the word as a verb fits perfectly.

Re 25a When you say you haven't parsed it, does that mean you've got an answer? If so, did you put the Beatles song or something else?

Yes, for 25a, only the Beatles song fits for me, after removing sex appeal from their name.

I guess someone panting means tired in 27a.

Re 25a. I think I've got it.

It appears to be an anagram of BEATLES minus the 'A' (Not A) and the S (S(ong) primarily wanting) around the usual 2 letter word for "sex appeal".

Thanks Mathi, I think our posts crossed.

I still can’t parse or justify the middle two letters IT in 25a. But first and third words are ok.

Hi Mathi, I got the IT from "sex appeal" where 'withholding' means 'restraining' or 'keeping in check' - in other words , the other two words are surrounding it (literally!)

Yes, IT is sex appeal, I forgot! I took it as SA, which is not correct. It comes from not a and song primarily. Thanks, it works now.

The Beatles clue has another level of meaning due to an historic spat about the song in question. Any other examples of this type of thing in the puzzle? I thought I spied a few..

I had to cheat to get the novelist as I knew 0 of this person. There are a lot of novelists.