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Well l've just checked AB and they've beaten me to it... by quite a while (I knew it was a mistake enjoying the theme before I posted).

Yes, this was one of Ivor’s gentler efforts but still rich in thematic material and neatly done. Excellent clues as you’d expect from him. I don’t know who was first to finish the puzzle, but since there’s almost certainly no Listener next week, I’ll be the first to say Merry Christmas all.

Ifor not Ivor. Fuggering autocorrect. 😡

I'll echo that loge - Merry Christmas All (sorry if I've been bad, Santa).

Well done chaps. Still have to identify the various forenames but the top row seems obvious enough without them.

Careful, tatters...

Careful Malone!

Astonishingly, for someone as ancient as I am, I discovered this theme only a few days ago. Where have I been all these Christmases? Still missing the third name from the acrosses, and haven't yet sorted out which possibility for the top row, nor what is required when adding three bars. Doubtless all will become clear before too long. I see that the i will have next week's IQ on the Friday - shall the Listener perhaps appear in Christmas Eve's Times?

For those who don't take The Times, there's a footnote to The Listener Crossword in today's paper: "Listener Crossword 4691 and solution 4688 will be published in The Times on Monday December 27."

Thanks for the heads-up, Will!