Cryptic crossword No 286

Loved it. So many top clues, such a well-maintained theme.

Brilliant Alf! So impressed with your invention in putting this together, particularly the way the theme-words have been incorporated. Specially mention for 18D which made me guffaw. Also particularly liked 12A, 13A, 14A, 28A, 3D, 6D, 15D and 25D. Thanks!

Holy everything, this was absolutely brilliant, especially with maintaining the theme throughout. Bonus bonus points for 1a, 9a, 10a, 12a, 13a, 28a, 29a, 6d, 7d, 8d, 18d, and the definition to 26a. I love this grid.

Thanks Alf, this was really fun to solve - excellent work! As others have said the theme is really neatly woven in - 9a is the stand out for me here. Other favourites include 12a, 23a, 25a, 28a, 29a, 11d, 18d, 24d, 25d.

Absolutely first-rate, Alf - inventive and original, and LOTS of fun, especially in the way you've handled the theme with some superb misdirection, yet all perfectly fair and solvable. Standout favourites for me are 26a (not normally a fan of very long clues but the wordplay justifies it), 18d for the sheer outrageousness of it (you'd never get that published in the Times), and 25d which also made me laugh. Also big ticks for 9a, 10a, 28a, 2d, 11d, 20d.