Gig Economy by Wan

36 clues include an extra letter in the wordplay part of the clue which much be removed to enable solving. The extra letters in across clues tell solvers a) what should be shown by changing one entry and highlighting it along with two entry numbers and b) what should be shown in the grid by changing a further 16 cells. The extra letters in down clues provide helpful information.

Across
1    Stint in Quebec shop (8)
6    Unwell after eating one food (5)
  10    A rival shortened name for Lady Gaga? (5)
  13    Too advanced, ahead of orchestra (4)
  14    Sword happens to be returned with note (4)
15    Need to burst into short tremulous sound for shoot (7)
16    Player leaving arena desperate to come back (5)
17    Tires breaking twigs in the sticks (4)
18    Birds coming from the east for about two pounds (4)
  20    Rhino in SA, lost among trees (5)
21    Rejecting hospital where fangs might be lost (6)
  22    Spain native plugging drugs sensing device (5)
  23    Dick contributing to gooey mess (3)
  24    Heard to break stiff back in golf driving violently (7)
26    Young louse returned money (3)
  27    Pulls apart snail, putting head at the rear (5)
  31    US main deputy cleared on number for cipher (6)
  33    Ruby repaired old box (5)
37    Fashion display putting second half first (4)
38    See uncooked animal's stomach (4)
39    Hero avoided lust going west, that is excellent (5)
40    Crushed cans look painted? (7)
41    Saving skin, twit without tissue gets small bunch of straw (4)
42    Wealthy grass's shot for ecstasy (4)
43    Bats need iodine compound (5)
44    Arsenal winger takes time for Hindu worshipper (5)
45    Begs for food after rent reforms (8)

Down
1 Part of Cuba's trapped port city (5)
2    Windows OS causes topsy-turvy lesson (6)
  3    A-list lout in evening dress (5)
4    Keyboards people try, defective in sufficient quantity (7)
5    Fuels occasionally jellied at bottom of tanks (6)
6    Stroke pup on street in spring (5)
7    Blast from producing dried fruit (6)
8    Judge clouts son (6)
9    Assume over clocked up more bouncers (6)
11    Wan's positive, but beginning to expect charge (6)
12    Hang aide and stay at sea for a week (11, 3 words)
19    Arab’s suave king corrupted master in East London (4)
22    Once returned with sufficient for elders (4)
23    Prime suspect held in confines of emptiest compounds (7)
25    Twin lied about abode (7)
26    Wino, drunk, stops to kick citizen (6)
28    One son turned helper for feast (6)
29    Mountain-dwelling Greek priest carried by deer climbing height (6)
30    Strap-like halter to learn when shortened (6)
32    Fails to support Adele with high notes (6)
34    Sheath, original cover, mostly black (5)
35    Little sheep in Perth that is hiding end of cry mournfully (5)
36    Offend at least seven users (5)

Entries
To enter this competition, input your solution into the website at https://cc.vellender.com before 8th June 2025. The first correct entry drawn from the hat will receive a book from the Chambers range, which has been donated by Chambers.