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Thanks Jbird, all done now. Those last few took me a long time!
17d very hard.
16a, I had starting SH, in error. Should have got that one.

I’ve been pecking away at this and gradually filling the grid, not without plenty of pondering, false starts and back-tracks. The pdm came with a resounding clang (albeit preceded by a brief consideration of a visit to a US state). What a feat of construction! Many thanks, KevGar.

jackaubrey, I've been doing exactly the same, but without any clangs!

But it's early doors so will continue pondering...

How have I messed up 33ac? I have word play that fits my crossing entries, but it doesn't seem to be a word in Chambers. Is it just me? Everything else sorted (except the order of two letters in 27dn obviously).

Maybe ignore that post for a few mins....

Yep, all sorted now!!!

Got there in the end. Made hard work of the end game by assuming that the 5 thematic elements would associate with the five triplets in a similar way. Found three and then got stuck. As a result I have spent quite a bit of time with Google learning more about the theme than was strictly required to complete the puzzle - so a win I guess.
It’s never safe to make assumptions with The Listener.
I have a a phrase from the correct and omitted letters which does not really work to indicate what to highlight, though I think I have highlighted the correct cells. My phrase is 6 4 4 6 with the sum of the first letters being 52. Is that correct?

Ha ha. Just spotted the other set of five in the grid. Now I I am not sure if my highlighting is correct. I suspect an error in the second word of my phrase. Will keep looking.

6 4 4 6 is correct but I don't recognise 52. It's the first word of the message that indicates what to highlight.

Smithsax - I agree with 52. I think the whole message indicates what to highlight not just the first word