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Re 20a, am I correct in assuming "porkies" is the definitionMy COD so far

Groans and smiles in equal measure.

Groan - two word answers considered one word.

Smiles - COD contenders: 12 and 7. Also liked the Spoonerism.

redpete, correct on 20.

On reflection, 5 is an excellent clue I should have credited earlier. I've seen that device used with two components many times, but three is impressive.

Agree that 10 can be criticised, but I spoke in that manner as a child and treat such reminders as "therapy". 😁

Geeker, re the device in 5, I can think of a five syllable word with this property. Can anyone beat five?

Re the comment by Geeker @3 regarding 23 and 25, what was the wording of the clue to 23 before it was edited please?

Phil - I did exactly the same. Then read your post, made the required adjustment and the rest fell into place. Thank you

Sealionsteve,
It would be a spoiler to say, but the original clue 23 contained the solution to 24.

Phil (@20) Thanks for the explanation of 10a. I was very much on the wrong track. But though I get it now, I still don't like the clue! It's too, I don't know - loose? convoluted? - did the setter really need to use a synonym for force? Also 'comes' does not mean the same thing as 'becomes'.

10a is bonkers. If you live in the UK you are very unlikely to have heard of the melons. Everyman seems to have developed a habit of using obscure American jargon without indicators for some reason.