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I don’t do the puzzle, 1234matt, so I can only solve clues which are posted on here, and have no idea about the theme. Sorry!

1234matt, and the partner should be easy to spot, with three of the letters already. Symmetry is useful too.

Re an earlier query, BuzzyBee and I compared notes and concluded that there may be two possible solutions to the 20/39 pairing given that the unchecked letter is the same in each case. T or L.
One of the L words is obscure but connected to 26. One of the T words is offensive slang. So I’m not sure what may have been intended.

Peal?

Can't parse 7d. Has to be Margie or margin presumably but I can't make either make sense.

I went for margin

The “butter” is one who buts, up in a down clue, then 1,2.
Skirt is the definition.

1234Matt, if you've found the pair to 24 D, confirmation is assured!

Thanks for help. I see it at last,I was overthinking it - something I do a lot!

There are 2 I just cannot parse here:

45A (I’m thinking first three words are the definition and it’s the obvious answer here)
Body of people swimming to France? No thanks (6)
N _ T I _ N

5D
Assess dated opinion on the radio (5)
C E N S _
I think the only option here is ‘cense’ but don’t see how the definition of this fits…