Iq 1812

[hankir]

I have a full grid and the two unclueds.
I do not have the extra letter from 2d. I thought it was E from APE. But then the first word from extra letters does not make sense.

I am not sure what the uniquely identfiable letter is. May be in the same row as the first unclued answer?

Thanks.

[ProfessorMaisie]

It's 'n' from APEXE[n]S (ex='former') 'partners' (bridge) = [n]+S.

[ProfessorMaisie]

I'd convinced myself there was a typo and the clue should read 'cop', not 'copy' (the APE part of the wordplay). 'cop'=[n]AP+EXES (former partners). I also needed some help for the right wordplay, hankir.

[ProfessorMaisie]

If you have the picture reference the brightest object is in the shape of a certain letter (and there's only one of them in the entire grid - and it's in exactly the right place).

[ProfessorMaisie]

...yes, I think you've got it already, hankir.

[hankir]

Thanks ProfessorM.
Should have realized the partners are Bridge partners.

I think the unclueds point to Sun, so I am not sure why (and which) one letter has to be coloured.

[ProfessorMaisie]

It's the O in the first shaded word (sadly, the grey shaded cell doesn't help the colouring requirement).

[hankir]

I did not see your other comments.
Thanks ProfessorM.