Crossword Help Forum
Forum Rules

The clues...
Requests for help should normally include the clue itself, the number of letters in the answer, and details of any you already have. Any additional information or special instructions, common in Listener puzzles, should also be included.
Hints only, please, no answers.

The theme...
Help towards the theme may also be sought here. It's envisaged that the help will be just a nudge, a pointer in the right direction - enough to be of use to a struggling solver, not so explicit as to spoil the puzzle for other solvers. Any post which reveals too much of the theme is likely to be removed.

There are many Listener regulars on these threads, but it's hoped that newcomers will be welcomed and given the right level of help.

The Listener is a unique puzzle and should be treated with respect.

PS This is being posted very early as I will be away for most of the day.

I'm back in time to bump this Public Service Announcement...

I enjoyed this one, thank you to Ace of Hearts.

I was worried that this would be a challenge because of the missing letter mechanic. But overall this was doable for me. Feels like I should have one more step but I've followed the instructions so I suppose that's that.

Sorry but I'm finding this far too difficult. After several hours, I've got three definite solutions, plus 18ac which I can't quite fit to its wordplay. I'm finding it hard to get a grip on any clue, with the missing letter(s) mechanism.

Anyone else notice that both Chambers and this puzzle get J wrong?

I agree buzzb. All done apart from 20a & 20d which are driving me nuts.

Gitto - as you’ve counted the clashes you already have you’ll know which cells of the pair have a clash.

Completing the set of missing letters gives you both extra letters; neither word is particularly common, but very fair.

As a personal thanks to setters, it is very much appreciated when definitions or wordplay precisely match the Chambers definition, as per the first part of 1A, or the last parts of 3D.

It acts as a sort of checksum, and is very helpful.

hw7, I just got 20d, just looking for 20a now. I managed to get 20d assuming that the clashes had a certain consistency.