Cryptic crossword No 2,035

Very nice thanks Dave, maybe your best yet - though I may be unduly influenced by 12a! Other faves include 5a, 14a, 21a, 25a, 26a, 7d, 13d, 23d & 24d (some new GK there!) ... thanks again!

Ha, that was great - I was intrigued by 14a (I love a one-word clue) and it was my LOI, you clever sod *shakes fist* 😆 but also my CotD. Also liked 18a, 13d and 23d. Minor spoilery comment in the reply. Thanks!

Very good, thanks Dave! Enjoyed the cleverness of 14a, along with 9a, 10a, 21a (very neat!) and 6d. Slightly spoilery reply…

I'd agree with Fez that this is quite probably your best to date, Dave. And I am not being influenced by 12a at all! Plenty I could tick; faves inc 5a, 12a, 14a, 21a, 25a, 27a, 2d, 4d, 8d, 13d, 15d (though I missed it!), 23d and 24d. As with others, some learning from that last one. Thanks. PM

Thanks Dave. There's a ton of good stuff here -- great job. My top picks were 12a (of course!), 18a, 25a, 4d, 7d, 8d, 15d, 16d, 17d, and 19d. I eventually revealed 11a, 14a (how could I miss this?), and 13d (nho Yves Klein). More in reply.

This was an absolute hoot. Likes from the get-go for 1a, 5a, 12a, 26a, 13d and 24d, etc. I’m not sure 14a quite works in the round, but it’s undeniably brilliant. Great fun. 11a grew on me, too. My only question is, re 16d, why would anyone be “enthralled” by an STD?! Truly splendid stuff. And I’ve even learned what a 22a is! Ta lots.

I saw your latest appear earlier, Dave, and realised that I'd done this one ages ago but completely failed to leave a comment. Anyway - very good job, thanks! I agree with the plaudits of earlier commenters, as well as the minor quibbles (in particular Gennaro's point re 3d, which I think does overstep the mark). Favourites: 5a, 12a, 27a, 2d, 8d, 15d and 20d.