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Hmm bit tenuous that link though.

Both the puns (interlocking) of course basically use the same device for the pun.

Any hint for 20,24 please?

Once I got 19d then the middle 3-letter word is obvious (or is it?) and I have the crossers from 13, 24, 18 down but am still totally unable to parse this clue.. I know, it will probably hit me as soon as I 'Add Post'!

it's a lovely clue. rats are just an example of a more general undesirables

Much later today than usual. After a meeting in town this morning, I came home and fell asleep, so didn't start until 4.30pm. I filled in Pick of the Bunch for 10,11 straight away and now you tell me it is wrong. No wonder I am now struggling.

Is it just the first word?

I haven't read the rest of the thread yet.

Yep, just the first word is wrong Roof.

Get ready for 2 terrible puns!

Thanks PS

Perhaps that will make getting 2,24 easier. I was having trouble thinking of a four letter word ending in K. I couldn't get Pork to work!

When I started I expected it to be relatively easy, but I'm quite stuck. Please can I have a couple of hints to unblock me.

Perhaps a clue for 23ac. I only have ??????T?S and I'm not sure of the T or if my answer to 19d is a terrible pun. Who are Caroline and Peggy Sue. I think the latter is from a Little Richard song.

I have no letters yet for 12ac. What is a swordsman in this context? Is it a man or more generic?

Thank you Jazzgirl ( ?) for the hint about the cold. A condition I suffered from for years.

Roof
23a Your T should be S (last 6 letters synonym for girls)
accesssories is the def.
12a Swordsman with an epee

Got it. Thanks chrise

Not sure I would ever have got 23a without Quick Solve!
Another one that's a bit too oblique for my taste.

Chacun a son gôut.

Thanks Jazzgirl

All done now apart from 21d and 25ac

I must watch scandinoir now. Oh no - its bloody football again.

I shall have another go and do the washing up before the scandinoir starts later!

21D parses as a 4 inside a 2 (reversed/up). It's a union. "You, once" I've seen before, with once meaning "archaic".
25AC parses as 2, 3, 1 with the 2, 3 being a synonym for "united", as in "united with".