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drxx, I have interpreted the replacement word below the grid differently to you. The fact that we are required to enter a “replacement” to be written below the grid implies we don’t need to go in the reverse direction. I think the fact that the hidden 8 letter word is in the grid is irrelevant. Hence my replacement below the grid starts with a J.
Dies anyone agree with this?. It is really annoying that both possibilities are of 8 letters. I too haven’t got the alternative title.

The alternative title is 10 letters (3 words) if you start from the first letter of the first extra word and advance... ...then reverse half way through (when you reach the end of the fifth extra word)...

Got it! Thanks.

unclued - I've got an 8 letter 'replacement' with a different initial.

As all of the thematic entries in the grid are arrived at by going in the same direction, it suggests to me that the 'hidden word' has also followed that direction. The answer leading to that entry would, therefore, be what the 'instruction' dictates (I think).

drxx, I think the word replacement suggests that this word should be of a similar type as the grid replacements (I think!)

...sorry unclued - I missed the letter after '...starts with a' in your post (I thought your word started with A!) we have the same word under the grid.

drxx, The alternative going the other way starts with N.

We're doing the opposite for the 'hidden word', though - not starting from an answer to a clue to get a thematic entry, but starting from a thematic entry to get to an 'answer'.

we have the same answer, unclued - so this is all academic, really (and I can't match your keyboard speed, so it's all getting a bit messy!).

planks - sorry, I missed your post (and I don't understand the 35d, 11ac connection) but all entries are real words.