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An enjoyable Prize puzzle by Paul to kick off the weekend.

In terms of difficulty I'd say it sits in the middle but there are a few pitfalls ready to snare the unwary - ie me!

If you do get stuck there are at least two long anagrams in the acrosses.

1a was new to me and I initially picked the wrong spelling for 11a which held me up.

The only query I have is with the "like a cake" part of 2,5 but it's early days so no worries.

COD - I'm going for the Paulinesque 6d - bits of fish in Elizabethan containers (9)

Thanks to Paul for a fun and witty Prize crossword.

Stay safe:-)

Welcome back, Brendan!

I solved this pretty quickly but found a few difficult stumbling points, agree with your difficulty assessment. Enjoyed the puzzle a great deal, thanks to Paul (of whom I'm a long-time fan).

Fairly subtle and cleverly implemented theme. I lucked out and got the theme early, due to a rare clue for which Americans have a solving advantage. 😉

FOI 1d, LOI 1a.
COD: I liked the linked thematics...could pretty much throw a hat over [(2, 5), (17,9), (13,20) and the Pauline 9]...the witty (2,5) is the winner by a narrow margin. A number of other good clues including 21, 25 and 4.

Brendan, 1a and the first word of (2,5) held me up for the longest time. I found the latter really funny, so COD.

Hi Geeker,

OMG - I can't believe I missed the theme! I mean, I know I always miss them but even so ,,, 🥵

One of my customary typos...by "Pauline 9" I of course meant 6. ☹️

Thanks Geeker, I was pretty sure you meant 6.

I can't see or hear of 2,5 without thinking of GC in FA:-)

Brendan,
(2,5) was a new term to me (had to verify via Google). GC and FA don't ring any bells, perhaps my ignorance.

Type "2,5 in popular culture" into Google and it should be the first entry:-)

Very good, my omission! 🤣

I do have an excuse...for personal reasons films featuring crazy people (particularly women) freak me out, and I never saw the (extremely) well-known reference. 😳

Ah, understood.

I'm no nearer getting the "like a cake" reference - any hints?