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I have a full grid and, unfortunately, 16 extra words. When the rogue one is identified I am hoping the PDM will arrive, but I am currently fearful of another long grid stare.

Now got the hero, not a clue what the traditional verse is - carry on grid staring. I'm also confused as to why some words in 3 or 4 clues are not extra, but spotting the hero helped me to identify the 15.

Not sure how this two thread system is working. There are 5 posts on the Answers thread at the moment and not one is a request for help let alone any hints.

GivuzaKlu, I think Dylan was - originally - looking for help with the theme, and definitely more help than would have been classed as 'Very gentle'. In the end, he resolved it himself.

In a way, I personally would be quite happy to see only a few answers on that thread - and/but it's good to know that if I was in real difficulty, I could find help.

This week's Listener is nowhere near as tricky as some of the ones we've had recently.

Nice gentle puzzle (but no pushover) with a typically neat touch of Chalicea's to help us weed out false candidates for the extra words. She's one of my favourite setters and this didn't disappoint.

Grid staring successful!!

I hate it when a) The PDM takes longer than the crossword and b) The only verse google recognised involved a small furry creature

Thank you Chalicea, I enjoyed the 'obsolete' indicator in 4d, and the fact that the hero's companion is there in the grid !.

Extremely quick solve - but I am ok with an easy fill occasionally (albeit held up initially by having 17 extra words before realising two of the answers worked with or without them)....

Yes, I agree (4d), although at first I did think it was an extra word!

Chalicea here. I suspect many compilers look in to see how folk are getting on and to check that solvers are happy. Indeed this was easier than the last few weeks (mine usually are). The editors deliberately balance the levels of difficulty. I hadn't spotted the furry companion in the grid. I'm pleased solvers are happy. There's a more difficult Vismut EV in the Telegraph today for those feeling short of a challenge.