Cryptic crossword No 1,426

Very good indeed! Great working of the surface theme and a lovely pdm too. Some really superb surfaces and devices. Loved 7a, 16a, 6d and 9d. Two further comments contain spoilers ->

Great stuff as ever, Sir D, full of your trademark ingenuity. I particularly liked 7a (very you), 16a and the great downs run of 6d, 9d, 13d and 14d. But I agree with Tutti on 5d! 😆

Great stuff, thanks sirdakka. Theme was neatly incorporated and I like how 14d flagged it (even though that one took me a while!). Favourite clues were 8a, 11a, 20a, 21a and 13d.

Super puzzle sirdakka, thanks. It seems as if my solving experience was very similar to Tutti's! Lots of fun as per. My favourites were 11a, 16a (great spot), 21a, 27a, 1d, 4d, 14d and 24d.

Splendid working of your theme, sirdakka and a satisfying melange of your favourite tricks and devices. Favourites for me include 16a, 19a, 21a, 23a, 1d, 2d, 4d, 14d with special mention to the highly amusing 9d and the outrageous 5d. The latter probably shouldn't work but sort of does, though I did need all the crossers. Thanks. PM

Thanks sirdakka, great fun as ever. Favourites 11a, 16a, 21a, 27a, 1d, 4d & 14d (needed help on the definition, but tied things together nicely). Spoilers ...

Thanks Sir D. Most entertaining and accessible! Faves were: 👍👍👍 7a,16a, 4d 👍👍 11a, 18a, 19a 👍 14a, 26a, 1d Not sure I'd have had the confidence to put 'the' in the WP in both 20a, 6d, not that it bothered me as such - just made me wonder what purpose they serve other than smoothing the surface.