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Nice. Fairly easy 23a my favourite surely Everyman is superfluous in 12d?

A very nicely balanced solve with its equal share if write-ins and head scratchers.

I am confused by 16d though, I can see a model and an Iberian kingdom which together to form part of a dish, but what duty is the monarch performing in the wordplay?

If anyone can put me out of my misery it would be much appreciated as always!

R rex) is a male monarch

Thanks, both of you.

I grew up using a lot of rhyming slang but don't think I've ever encountered syrup.

Jono: that's how I got my answer, but then I was left wondering what "Everyman's" is contributing - wouldn't that normally imply also inserting me or my or mine?

Nickos I see where you are coming from, but I think the setter intended the 2-letter word to mean "I am disgusted" with Everman's therefore necessary to provide the missing 2 letters it represents. Frankly it works equally well for me either way, my quibble would be with the definition as I associate the phrase with people not activities so something like "they provide pointless diversions" would have worked better IMO. But still a very good puzzle I thought.

Ah-ha, thank you Jazzgirl, I should check spellings before posting!

An enjoyable, gentle affair today with a good mix of clues. I agree that ‘I’m’ isn’t really needed in 12. I think many activities are also described as being the answer now - not just people (a lot of social media for example) so that works for me too.

Fair point DrJax

I am stuck on the parsing of 21d even though the definition and crossers make the answer pretty obvious. Any pointers please?

@coffindodger perhaps a phrase from the news last year helps: "the X of Roald Dahl approved the changes"