Guardian Brummie 27/12

[amalgam]

I've only solved 2 clues so far, 15a and 13d, and am stumped. Any help with the top left corner or bottom right corner would be very welcome. Only a little though, I do like to do it myself if possible, a hint about the theme would also be appreciated.

[lapsapchung]

I don't think I'd have got anywhere without all your help on this one. Just came back after a few hours away to contribute the answers I'd found in the meantime, only to see you'd already got them all.

I agree it should be VINTAGE rather than VANTAGE

[debarri]

Rogergeneva

IM in LATER

[amalgam]

It's been great fun solving this puzzle together, as if we were all sitting on the same sofa as it were. Thanks to all who replied. (I finished it about 9 p.m. yesterday evening.)

[iverna]

I think 18d may be Latimer.....possibly?

[djmelancourt]

MUCKRAKER.

Why is MUCKER = friend? Not in Chambers I don't think.

[djmelancourt]

Can you please explain MANDARIN? I can only see the "DARN" anagram.

[djmelancourt]

I don't see MANDARIN. Other than the DARN anagram ..

[djmelancourt]

I can't find an eighth publisher:

Orion
Virago
Corgi
Viking
Picador
Bantam

That's seven.

[djmelancourt]

Re SWING.

"Round off broadcasting ..." ?

[geo0939]

Vantage press, publishers.

[cinnabar]

4d is surely VINTAGE rather than VANTAGE - n(ew) and tag (game) in vie (contest)

The eighth publisher is MANDARIN at 25a - anagram (bats) of darn in MA (state of Mass.) and in (home)

Definitely the most-discussed puzzle I have ever seen in the Answer Bank!

[geo0939]

I'm sure you're right cinnabar, I was merely saying that there is a Vantage Press publishing house.

[amalgam]

djmelancourt, SWING is SOWING (= broadcasting) minus the O.