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100% agree with your take on it, Brendan

Very nicely done puzzle. Enjoyed it. Learnt a few things along the way.

First time with this crossword. Excellent puzzle and the discussion has been very helpful. I got the theme and the changes but the prompts about symmetry were handy - thank you

By Thurs am I had all clued entries in the grid, the 'hint to the theme' (and the ear-worm), the two words in 4d and 19d (though less sure of 19d). But I haven't the foggiest about how to get the 3 synonyms of 4d let alone those of 19d in the final 'leg' of this puzzle. Even after leaving it alone for 3 days. Sniff. Maybe I need to stare harder...

I could have almost written this myself, Pantheropad. After a struggle, I've got the spare letters, all squares filled, theme, the two unclued etc etc.

I might also have got two of the first sort of new entries, but now totally stuck, despite the well meant hints above.

Do the 10 substitute letters still mean that any crossing words are still words after the changes?

Any new hints would be gratefully received. I'm on the point of abandoning the whole project

None of the changes affect crossing words.

Pantherapard, I may be misreading your second sentence, but you are not looking for synonyms of 4d. and 19d. for the final leg. Look for examples of the other entities mentioned in the theme.