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99% complete but still a couple of problems I can't resolve. So I have all but one of the extra words (the 4th one) and have filled all the circled cells, the two unclued entries and the thematic character to be replaced. I can't rationalise the SW corner where 33, 41 and 30d have all their crossers but I can't find appropriate answers. It may be possible that one of my others is wrong but, having double-checked them all, I don't think so.

So nudges (not explicit answers please) for the missing extra word/character and those 3 clues would be much appreciated please.

Finally, I have the correct answers but can only partially parse the following so, again, any help please...... 35 (I originally had the first word as an 'extra'), 5 (thirst?), 10 (in the main?)

Thanks

Hi

4th extra word is between 18a and 26a. I can tell you the clue but thought that might be too explicit?

33 is a common man’s name
41 is a two word musical term
30d is the most unusual answer. Looks like a derivation of a Latin word for commoners.

5 s(special) thirst as in really desire or pine for

If you mean 21 rather than 10. In the main means use most of the word so plac(e) is in reverse.

Hi djawhufc,

Thanks for that.

Re 4th extra word, I know what extra letter I'm looking for so will do that shortly.

33...... grrr! I didn't stray beyond Chambers for this one. Easy when you see it!
41 - I'd split the answer one letter earlier than that so was looking for something different for the second part
30d still can't quite make the leap between the answer (which I now know) and the start of the clue

5...... another grrrr, I'm afraid. I had the first 2 letters as 'special' from very early on (in Chambers) so was only ever looking to complete the last 3 letters.

21 - got it.

Thanks for that. I can relax again.

Hi

Re 30d

Since is as so you remove that from pleases (proves appealing) and replace with B for black.

Ah, interesting. Chambers has an obsolete 'preve' under its definition of 'prove' so, before i saw your explanation, I'd thought there was one of those 'v' = 'b' things going on* (as in Spanish 'vino' pronounced 'bino') so couldn't make sense of the remainder of the clue.

Thanks

* I'm sure there must be a name for it as there are many other examples, none of which springs to mind right now

No, sorry, I just can't see that final (4th) thematic character. I've been through all the clues between the 3rd and 5th looking for an extra word..... can't see one. I know what extra letter I'm looking for so examined each clue with a word containing it. Looked at the 'theme' to see which character(s) I've yet to find. Being very slow, I know so would like assistance please.

Hi Simon. 23A 10 letter name of German origin, meaning 'battle guard'

Hi meursault, thanks for that. I didn't even stop to look at that one because I read it as 2 separate words. I'd forgotten that TL treats hyphenated as a single word. Living and learning!

And thanks to the 'hammers fan' for the earlier help.

Thanks, that weebly tip was very helpful, have now identified them all. Now understand the references to a Maine etc in the earlier part of the thread, which had previously left me a bit confused.

Sorry if that was misleading, I was just thinking aloud, as they say...I still find it strange that the setter gave us half the title in the spare letters. But in order to identify the extra letters, we must have already identified the names. And having also found the unclued name, to find the title for ourselves isn't a big ask even for someone who knows nothing of the subject matter. So, to my mind, the extra letters were a redundancy and a distraction.