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I have received an email saying "The theme is not supposed to be hinted at - this does very clearly". I think it refers to a post on Page 4, possibly Post 32 but another User has suggested that Posts 16 and 30 were also a bit revealing.

I don't understand the intricacies of this (or any) Crossword so are the complaints valid?

I would remind you that Malone says in her preamble "May contain answers - but not the THEME". Could you all please bear that in mind.

This message is posted in the lull between the Women's Doubles and the Men's Doubles Finals at Wimbledon, now off back to the tennis.

Apologies if my post 30 overstepped the mark.

Not sure why it would as there's nothing much to it and I try to stay firmly on the side of nudges and hints rather than anything more explicit but will try harder!

Oh dear, a bit more controversy? I've just come to the forum having slogged my way to a full grid - apart from the unches in the perimeter. I have the hint for the thematic items and know the theme (my lips are sealed!) which my son found with a lucky guess (thank you splinters)

I seem to get gobbledygook when I try to unpick the perimeter entries - so I am clearly doing something wrong. Fresh eyes in the morning may help.

Glad none of the posts mentioned are mine, Norah. Only one of them gives a hint and still isn't much of a giveaway as regards the puzzle as a whole.

I get the impression people come to the Listener thread for three reasons: (a) they've finished and want to see others' opinions and/or offer help (b) they're stuck on one or more clues (c) after several hours or even days, they can't see the final step required to complete the endgame. The issue is how much, if any, help we should ask for or offer those in the last category. I know from experience how helpful it is to get a final nudge over the finishing line - NOT "the theme is US presidents" but perhaps "you need to think laterally about the message from the extra letters" or some such. It's very hard to strike a balance, as I found when I tried to help a few posters with the music part of Skylark's music puzzle.

I will, of course, respect site policy, but I fear that people who need a bit of a nudge to get that last bit of highlighting after 20 hours of grid staring may take their business elsewhere if they can't get it here. Perhaps there should be a "May contain hints to the theme" thread?

TL;DR: I don't know what the answer is.

Thanks, Norah. Sometimes the things that could be regarded as 'spoilers' are really only solvers exploring various avenues, coming up with things that might - just might - help. When a puzzle is as tough as this week's, there's possibly more 'exploring' than usual going on!

Loge, that was an interesting post and I agree with much of what you say - especially with regard to the final nudges.

I think the only hints to the theme I've seen only made sense if you'd already cracked it!
However, I'm nearly there. Got a few loose ends making the unchecked letters match the ox under lorry thing but the clue that's beating me is7d 'Wake up as.....' I know the missing letter and assume it fits in the 4th word but I can't parse anything sensible. (I haven't spotted the abbreviation either).
So, hints, tips or tricks for 7d would be v. welcome.

Granama1 - "up" is a (rather poor, in my view, though it appears quite often) anagram indicator, so it's an anagram of WAKE. Looks like you've got the rest.

I think 4 down is the abbreviation?

This has to be the toughest one I've ever tried. I have just about given up several times, but maybe a hint will get me back on track. I think I have the definition for 12a, but can't see the wordplay.

mprs, 12a. is a synonym of the adjusted word, minus N, + 'money in SE Asia (2)

Dang it! I've seen that two letter Asian money before, but I forgot it. Thanks, mattrom!