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5a. Gong given to performer who tried to bring reform?

I get it but, How does Gong become CH?

12a. The first character to preach (the result of a burning desire?)
PARSON

10a. Person investigating artist has cut round to enter uninvited
GATECRASH

Parses for the above please.

5 CH - companion of honour, which comes with a medal, I expect

12 first of Preach, then ARSON (burning desire), but there doesn't seem to be a definition.

10 GASH - cut
TEC - person investigating (detective)
RA - artist
def. enter uninvited

Thanks chrisE.

I've double-checked 12a for any typos or omissions on my part, bit there aren't any. Maybe the whole clue gives PARSON, as he's the one who preaches.

18a. Canons in cold form of worship look retrogressive
CRITERIA

24d. Note uprising of W African tribe in desert
GOBI

12a. A challenging demand
SATISFACTION

27a. Drive off to bring adult member in for massage
SHAMPOO

18D. Watch Attila?
HALF-HUNTER

11a. Hunt for a drink? Just the opposite
STIRRUP CUP

5d. Collect dull rug
PRAYER MAT

16d. Song for Hair stars
AQUARIUS

22a. Popular person, modern and lively, coming from ball at cricket club
INSWINGER

Parses for the above please.

18 Canons, criteria, rules. C, cold, Rite, form of worship and Ria/air backwards (retrogressive look).

24 G, note (musical) and Ibo, W African tribe(uprising = upwards). Gobi, desert

27 Shoo, drive off, A, adult, MP, member. I haven't checked in my dictionaries to see if Shampoo can be a massage!

11 A. The whole clue is the definition. A stirrup cup is a (tradional) drink for the members of a hunt (fox hunting and so on) - so the opposite of Hunt for a drink.

5 Prayer = collect ( a churchy word) and Mat = dull. PrayerMat, rug.

16 D. Rather dated. 'Hair' is the musical, there was a song Aquarius in it - and Aquarius also fits stars, astrology etc.

Thanks Malone

11a. Common freedom enjoyed by Dusty
RUN-OF-THE-MILL

21a. Rude and very Scottish sort of hut
UNCOUTH

12a. Methods intended to avoid betting slips? SYSTEMS

20a. Sentimental start after letter from Athens
MUSHY

21d. One embracing one's tender?
MISER

11a. Tickle trout's tail with dexterity
TRACE

Parses for the above please.

21 Unco, a Scottish word for 'very' and an anagram (sort of) Hut.

20 Mushy, sentimental. Mu, letter from Athens, Greek alphabet and Shy, start, be startled.

11a I think the monicker ‘Dusty’ refers to a miller, commonly covered in flour? Could be wrong

12a Cryptic definition. ‘Slips’ as in slip-ups, ‘system’ referring to a scheme to ensure betting success

21d Cryptic definition. ‘Tender’ as in legal tender / money

11a Are you sure the answer isn’t TEASE? Which would be T (trout’s last letter) + EASE (dexterity). Tickle and tease just about work as synonyms