Across: 8 SHOAL (lots of fish) minus 1st letter (appearing headless) around (either side of) promontory (SPIT) = HOSPITAL (institution conducting research) RE the definition King’s College Hospital, as an example, have as their top-line description “We are a research-active organisation. Research is a key part of our strategy, and every year thousands of people take part in research studies at the Trust.”, 9 This writer in Paris (JE) + catches (CT, the abbreviation used in Wisden for catches taken) following (on) OB (outside broadcast) = OBJECT (protest)  Eg https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/trophy/fielding-most-catches-career/the-wisden-trophy-4, 10 Reversal of (on the qay back)come face to face with (MEET) = TEEM (bear), 11 Greyish brown (DUN) + outer letters (cleared out) of E(ffluent)S = DUNES (mounds), 12 Last letter (in the end) of dal(I) inserted into (cuts) rhubarb (ROT) = RIOT (display), 13 Metallica single (ONE which was a single for the group and which happily also means single) inserted into (during) part of development (STAGE) = STONE AGE (period preceeding Metal), 16 Race (RELAY) containing (around) 1st letter (left side of) P(itch) = REPLAY (another game), 18 DD, 20 For (PRO) + reversal of Tesla? (dbe of EV) = PROVE (test), 21 Reversal of ZErO (when love is over) with (r)un replaced (away) by a (Y)ear = OYEZ (cry), 22 AT (from the clue) + just after 9.59 (TEN) + 1st letter (tip from) D(ay) = ATTEND (nurse), 23 But o(NLY) minus 1st letter (loses head) following gag (HEAVE) = HEAVENLY (delightfuĺ), 26 DD, 28 DD, 30 To populate (RUT) + character facing H(angman) = RUTH (once, being archaic, a matter for pity), 31 DD, 32 Time (EON) on E(arth) contains (is entertaining) VERY (to a large extent) = EVERYONE (all). 

Down: 1 Bloke (COVE) + outer letters (extremely) of R(acis)T = COVERT (secret), 2 Reversal (sent back) of plans (MAPS) = SPAM (unwanted junk), 3 Helps (AIDS) reversed (turnover) containing (having acquired) Cheers (TA) = STADIA (measuring rod used in surveying equipment), 4 LANE with last letter sent to front (cycle) = ELAN (style), 5 Inmate’s (CON’S) + sincere (TRUE) = CONSTRUE (come to the conclusion), 6 DD, 7 A villain (A CAD) contains (holds) officer (COL) + 1st letter (a little) of E(mbarrassingly) = ACCOLADE (embrace), 14 G (George initially) inserted (to go in) into wearing no clothes (NUDE) = NUDGE (remind), 15 Answer hidden (to some extent) and reversed (up) in IrisH COP Ended = EPOCH (age), 17 Publicity (PR) + award (OBE) = PROBE (investigate), 19 TOOINEPT anagrammed (to make adjustments) = ON TIPTOE (stealthily), 20 Alternate letters (regularly) of tEnD inserted (to break into) storeroom (PANTRY) = (resulting in) PEDANTRY (quibbling), 24 Dad (PA) after A + great many years (EON) all reversed (recalled) = (developing) APNOEA (breathing disorder), 25 Overdue (LATE) + books (NT) = LATENT (concealed), 27 Article (A) on hill (TOR) reversed (climbing) = ROTA (register), 29 Message (TWEE)t minus last t (time in the end to leave) = TWEE (precious & little), 30 Hom (told) of to gamble more (raise) = RAYS (bars).