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Brendan and Jono - Thank you very much!

... to be clear Al, while the homophone of "characteristic" needed for entry in the grid for is 7 letters, the word it sounds like is only 5.

Sorry BigAl, our posts crossed.

Glad you got it sorted, I know from personal experience how frustrating it is to be that one answer short:-)

I have come a cropper after solving 11 clues.

I have NO IDEA what I’m doing with so many clues.

Can I please ask for hints for 8a, 12a, 14a?

I have read the instructions for 5d elsewhere on the thread, but I am none the wiser; is it moving a letter from SPEAR?

You are correct with SPEAR. Remember that fruit can be singular or plural.

Thank you

Began it last week, not getting too far, and didn't get around to finishing (?) it until this morning.

I feel confident of everything but my answer to 9D. I've read the hint(s) in previous pages here but they haven't caused the light bulb to appear yet.

Another gentle hint would be appreciated.

My answer fits the crossers and is a school leavers event. Not sure of parsing

The end of the clue to 9d refers to the famous “Last night …”