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Excellent, thanks to Picaroon!

Also a bit confused by the wordplay in 4a, but the sheer number of delightful clues makes up for it: 10a, 11a, 21a, 23a, 26a, 2a,8d, but for COD I’m going for 25a because it caught me out fair and square dismissing a possible way of solving it on first reading.

FOI 9a, but only after I’d read all the clues once. Solved in 3 little bursts.

Definitely one to enjoy.

Morning!
I agree about 4a, strange. Can't figure out anything else it could be other than a mistake.
Haven't finished yet. Which is good as it gives me something to keep popping back to though the day, but enjoying the variety of clues so far. Doesn't seem to be a theme unless I've totally missed it!

Posted by Picaroon on the Guardian blog:

“ Please allow me to apologise for the error in the clue for 4A. This is entirely my fault, and I’m really sorry that it slipped through unnoticed.

I have suggested to Hugh that the clue should in fact read: “Make dashing leap, finally breaking cup sure to wobble” and I hope the online version will be amended in due course.

I really hope this didn’t cause too much frustration and I wish you all a very good weekend. I shall now go and undertake penitential readings of Chambers to make amends!”

I found this hard work. The bottom was complete before I had much in the top. Some of the definitions were well hidden - 3d and 21a, for example.
Favourite 1a.

I'm sorry, but I can't see a problem with the clueing of 4 a. Surely the definition is clear and the anagram is of 2 words plus the letter r. Overall an enjoyable puzzle.

unless you have a different answer, you need an extra p, not r

Cheshirejohn, that’s the updated version you’re seeing, which is good.

The online version and the pdf have been updated to the amended clue as below. The app not yet.

I was lucky to come to this after 4a had been amended - though it calls it 4dn! Difficult for the Grauniad to get things right some days ... so respect to those who got it right before the correction. I liked the clueing - esp the defintions of the great performers.

I can confirm that the IPhone App is still showing the wrong version of 4a. Otherwise it’s a great crossword although it took me way too long to parse 21a.