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andyp, I've tried to 29 the unclued entry, but all I get is gobble-de-gook. I must be doing, or have got something, wrong. I think my 7d may be wrong as I cannot see where its fourth letter comes from.

have you got the message from the letters from the missing words though and followed it - if you follow that through, the punctuation should become clearer.

i havent parsed 7d fully, but there can only be one option, from the second sentence of the preamble (and the theme)

Struggling in NW corner after hours working on this. Can anyone assist with a steer on 15a or 20a?

I have a filled grid and I've found all the hidden instructions. However I can't interpret the "4 7 3 4" part. I'm inferring that each of the methods of applying the wordplay-only word is to be used once. Am I right so far?

Lumen

15a - look up first and last words. Def is last four words
20a - def is first word, anagram involved

Both have extra words

Thanks Andyp.
Had looked up callas but never thought to look at the last word.
And assumed it was the Z-lister who had to become naked.

By taking the numerical position of letters in the alphabet the product of those in 7d is 510300, is that correct (sorry drxx!!)

I won't risk the sum, gitto, but 7d is a 3 letter abbrev for 'take' (Latin) + 3 letters (slang) 'in'.

Many thanks drxx, my 7d was completely wrong but is now completely correct. Onwards and downwards!