Cryptic crossword No 2,482

A few obscurities & general knowledge: Collins / Chambers / Google / Wikipedia recommended. The alternative spelling in 21 Down is supported by Collins. Spoilers, for what it's worth ...

Well, that went down very smoothly with a largely completed grid after one pass and I was only undone at the end by a very tricky spelling. (I bet you can guess which one). Plus a parse that needed your notes. Oh - and an answer I didn't put in because it 'surely couldn't be that' but it was! Faves inc 9a, 13a, 10a (just because I got the answer by doing exactly what you said to do), 20a, 25a, 30a (cute), 1d, 5d, 12d (ho ho), 19d COTD and 23d. Thanks. PM

Thanks Fez for a most ambitious crossword. I solved the song, lyric, band, & songwriter unassisted but I did reveal 14a & 34a. My favs were 24a, 30a, 1d, 6d, 7d, 17d, 26d, and 29d. More in reply.

A workout that I needed a few letter reveals and the recommended other assistance to complete. Faves include 20a, 25a, 30a, and 12d, 15d & 29d. Can't pick COTD between 12d and 15d (which tells you a bit about my love for dirty humour I guess). More below ...

Great stuff Fez, thanks. I found this very tough, needing a few reveals at the end. All the usual fun Fezziness though, and an extremely impressive gridfill (even if I did have to read your comments to appreciate it properly). Favourites: 9a, 10a, 13a, 30a, 1d, 5d, 6d, 7d and 33d

Phew, Fez, that was quite a work out due to the obscurities and NHOs. It got a bit easier when I learned to trust your excellent clueing (why didn't I from the start?!!) and took your advice re dictionaries and Wiki. I still needed to reveal a handful but finished up satisfied nonetheless. Faves for me: 9a, 13a, 14a, 30a, 5d, 11d, 33d. Thanks.