Cryptic crossword No 2,353

Very jolly Nina, yet again. Loads to like, including 9a, 21a, 3d, 5d, 7d, 16d, 17d and 19d. Spoilers…

Well, I got to this one a bit sooner than usual. An enjoyable breakfast (plus a bit) solve, with your usual tomfoolery around the edges. I particularly appreciated 10a, 16a, 5d, 14d, 16d, 17d among others. Some had me headscratching with unfamiliar slang or other references that eluded me (22a not often said that way here, except with a prefix. 24a as per ALP's comment. 7d just a bit too wide). But I very much like the wit and tight wordplay over most of the clues, so thanks as ever!

This took me a while, a satisfying solve with plenty of clues that click together very neatly - I love those. Favourites include 9a and 5d - so clever! 16d made me laugh. And Nina, who emerged early enough to be a great help (solved her pointer first, but had to wait a bit for the penny to drop). Thanks as always, Gennaro

Thanks for another fun puzzle, Gennaro. Towards the more challenging end of your spectrum, I thought - possibly because I worked out the Nina relatively late on. Favourites: 5a, 12a, 3d, 5d, 16d and 17d. Spoilers ...

I was lucky with the nina this time, Gennaro, spotting a potential phrase very early on which turned out to be correct. Plenty of fun as usual with faves inc 9a, 12a, 25a, 14d and = 19d (COTD). Thanks. PM

Hi, Gennaro. 12a is my favorite micro-story - very vivid! Also, neatly clued. The puzzle took me a while, but I got there after remembering to check the special instructions, and I enjoyed it very much, including 9a, 11a, 5d, 14d....

Thanks Gennaro, a bit late to the comments sorry! Like PM I spotted the Nina very early so didn't find this quite as challenging as I suspect it would've been otherwise. Lots to enjoy with faves being 9a, 10a, 25a, 14d, 17d & 19d. Thanks again!

Thanks Gennaro. I found this perhaps a bit tougher than usual but got there in the end. As ever my eyebrows raised at some surfaces (13a, 24a, 4d, 7d you know who you are!) But your clueing is always tight and satisfying to unravel, so this was fun. Likes for 5a, 9a, 21a, 5d, 14d, 19d. Many thanks.