Inuisitor 1355

[boreas]

Any hints on 7D?

"A record? I've got it outside" (5)

[x_word_fan]

alpha = A

[x_word_fan]

- do you have an extra letter for 8a?

[boreas]

No - but I have an answer, and know there should be a surplus H created by the wordplay.
Baffled.

[boreas]

I have the phrase spelled out by the extra letters if that's any help.

[x_word_fan]

Yes I have the answer - only thing I can find is a fish! - Still if you are sure it is H ...

[boreas]

I think it has to be H, because of the phrase.
I thought about the fish but couldn't see any connection to Lawrence.

[MLN:RUGBY]

It = S(ex) A(ppeal) + D.H. Lawrence

[boreas]

Great. Thanks MLN.

[Neveracrossword]

I'm slightly puzzled with this one, the very last thing I've got to do.

42 A. Sun's false report initially blackened name (4) s?eb

I can see 'sneb' but not how it fits.
This is a themed crossword and in some clues there are 'extra single letters suggested by wordplay'. I'm not sure if this clue is one.

[slaney]

I haven't started this crossword yet, but perhaps S l(i)e b - Sleb -a celebrity =name

[Neveracrossword]

That sounds great to me - thanks.