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No problem, elliptic, and I’m glad you agree with me. Still waiting to hear whether geeker and brendan do also 😉

Wow what an extraordinary puzzle from Paul, with a lot of laughs. I came here hoping to see an explanation for 12a, which I had banged in something that fitted but I couldn't parse. The actual solution is much better - and quite apposite! This man is so clever you want to give him a shake sometimes.

Agree w. rog on parsing of 1d

Thanks Rogissimo

I had to cheat to get 1d - glad I did, a totally new word for me. Brilliant. Love learning new words. Still clueless at the parse.

6d still eludes me despite all the hints. I’ll look again tomorrow and see if I can figure it out.

Ah! 1d has now sunk in.

Powerful? Bloody Paul

Insert? Bloody Paul

Worth noting that Paul’s grids are the main reason my sister stopped doing the Guardian weekend. I’d regularly receive a brief text message from her on a Saturday morning just saying “bloody Paul. I hate Paul”

6d is an anag ("not right") of [3+1], definition "then"

Thanks Geeker. Got it now (it was already in just couldn’t quite unpick it. Bloody Paul (referring to me, this time)

@jono I cannot see a Nina in yesterday's crossword 29499. Is that the one you meant?

Been chipping away all day and about 50 per cent of the way.

Pretty sure I have the right answer for 27A, but no idea on the parsing, hopefully someone can enlighten me?

Do love a Paul puzzle...hard work, often rude, lots of groaning but ultimately worth it!

Yes, there's a subtle Nina in 24,999 (Enigmatist). I did not see it, though the theme should have been a predictor. It's disclosed in the 225 writeup.