Question Author
Sorry - typical Eye 'special' crossword - those clues with an asterisk and additional number count follow special rules: Clues marked * are inspired by 'Blended Families' contributions on our Letters page, and have two parts:
1) a definition of a normal word/phrase
2) [in square brackets] an anagram of the names, either first or last, of two well-known people (some not so well known, perhaps).
The names, entered in the right order in the grid, will sound (sort of) like the answer to the definition. The letter count applies to the grid entry.
Example: * Breakfast item? [CRAB FONDUE] (5,5)
Definition answer = Fried Bacon; grid entry = FREUD/BACON