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Hi Roof
12 not astrological; 16 doesn't end IRE (though I see why you thought so).

Good grief, I've sat down to this twice and can't see a single thing. Literally not one clue. I normally try to get through it before looking at the forum. Going to go back and read in a lot more detail 😕.

havermonkey, I also nearly drew a blank on the first pass. Managed to get started on some short clues near the bottom: 20, 22 and 23d are relatively accessible IMO.

22d, that is.

Like many on here drew a blank first pass. Then filled in the whole bottom half relatively easily. Then was stuck, went about my business and came back about two hours ago after which it was slow steady progress with much needed help from here. Thanks all. Good puzzle though I thought. Thanks Vlad for going easy on us by your normal standards.

FOI 21d. LOI 2d. COD definitely the amusing 10a.

Thanks Chris

Still making slow progress. I think I have the second word of 16ac, but have no idea for the first word for which I have ??0??. I've just found a word that will fit. Hurrah. I've never heard of this before, but it gives me an extra letter for 1d and an interesting first letter for 17d

I still haven't got 1d. I can't see where an astrololical sign would fit. I have ?R?G ?A?N?R. Are my crossers right?

Similarly, I can't see the anagram in 6d

Is 14d a straight anagram? If so I'm not sure what it is.
What is the definition for 22ac? Have I got the right crossers? R?O?I??

And still more I can't do.

Just got 6d - what an awful hidden anagram and not a word I know.

6d is an anagram of one word in the clue.
14d is not a straight anagram; the last five letters are, but the first five are a 4+1 charade.
Your first crosser (2nd letter) in 1d is incorrect.

I did exactly that for 9a too - nice answer, but the R is wrong!
Your interesting first letter for 17d is probably correct.
14d isn't a straight anagram, though "worse" anagram is involved.
22 is a sounds like. I'm afraid only your R is right....

Thanks Geeker

I did finally twig the anagram in 6d, but getting that letter wrong in 1d means that I've got 9,8 wrong, which may require a complete re-think. Doh!!!