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I read it 26 as a triple def. but agree that it's not completely satisfactory as such. French ROMAN (novel) would fit with the td and fabricated account, but in that case the CE hangs.
I never quibble too much about such things...no doubt next week's 225 blog entry will include plenty of commentary.

My take was that the first definition refers to languages which developed from Latin, so French is DBE. Then the last four words of the clue are a description of the literary genre, which Chambers describes as “any fictitious and wonderful tale”, and “romantic fiction”, so a DD

I am surprised that no one has commented on drjax's extraction of a very current concern from the puzzle. Brilliant and no need for an apology.

Completely agree with all who selected 11a as COD. Got quite a chuckle out of it when I finally figured it out.

Thanks Jono. From your reply, and the other comments, I also realise I was focussing on ‘toast’ in terms of ‘cheers!’ rather than how the clue intended. Note to self ….. stop trying to think literally for a cryptic crossword!

Thanks Jono. From your reply, and the other comments, I also realise I was focussing on ‘toast’ in terms of ‘cheers!’ rather than how the clue intended. Note to self ….. stop trying to think literally for a cryptic crossword!

Late to the party but as I was working on 11a my hubby commented that he thought Jeremy Kyle was toast!
Drjax post 15 very clever.

Is it just me, or does the rhyming pair not really rhyme?

I'm with you, lexo.