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Brendan, glad I could help. I found some clues trickier than other - ie the missing word part - but was able to work backwards for several, once likely words/answered appeared in the grid.

Hi Malone,

I'd never done a Guardian Genius before but I saw your recommendation at the start of this thread and thought I'd give it a go, and and I really enjoyed. Got stuck a few times but persevered and, with a bit of help from your good self, got there in the end:-)

I've also been going back to do some Harpers and WSJ - there there are really great ones that Syzgy has provided links to.

Thanks for that, Brendan. After not enjoying several of the recent Genius puzzles, I was delighted with this one! It was different, fun and … doable.

Yes, the Harpers and WSJ are often excellent too.

I'm stuck on four clues... any help will be appreciated..

28 ____ whose surroundings could be virtually cloned — ha! (9)
C???I?E?N
30 Labour minister backed the introduction of ____ years in speech (8)
???T?L?Y
1 Arm supporter with ____ Nordic bomb? (6)
B?A?C?
21 Use drug ____ ecstasy, right, when leaving island (7)
O?E????

28 Check the setter...
30. A usual three-letter minister (church), reversed, and the usual three-letter Labour... The definition is 'in speech', not written.

21 The definition is Use, verb. There's a very common (in crosswords) six-letter drug, remove the usual 'island' from that, replacing with the usual 'ecstasy' and the usual 'right'.

For 30 A, the first letters of the missing word and 'years', finishes the answer.

Hi RayH,

28a your l should be an E - this clue is the only one where the inserted word and answer are the same (look at the name of the setter)

30a your T should be a B - Usual 3 letter word for "minister" followed by 3 letter abbr. for 'labour' both reversed/backed + introduction of "3 down" + Y(ear)

1d definition is "arm" and is the setter's favourite 3 letter "supporter" + "Nordic after it's been 16a" + 1 letter representation of "bomb"

21d definition is "use" and a 6 letter drug (minus I(sland)) around "Ecstasy" and "Right"

PS RayH, the definition to 30a is "in speech" and I think you've put 'Mint' for 26d which is wrong

Thanks boys, I think I'm there now... just got to fill in a few of the inserts.