Cryptic crossword No 1,490

This is day 14 of our advent calendar. The rest can be found here. https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/4esbtad9w79qrkoqqtqt6/h?rlkey=73jiloqoc24lot8tuhumf4svs&dl=0

See, I knew keeping abreast of the puzzle titles would eventually come in clutch... not that it helped so much with the 6a/8d intersection, but I got there in the end! 5d gave me a good laugh :3

Thanks Potoroo (also for all the other advent puzzles) - podium for me 12a, 16a & 26a. Quick query in reply ...