Sorry to keep going on, but there's one point I still don't get.
You said for a conversion my licence has to be valid, but I still don't understand what the situation is if it is not (it is impossible at this point for me to complete the conversion before the deadline of my flight review expiry).
At this stage I'm assuming the difference is only in the written exams required, with it needing to be all instead of just those select few. The flight test obviously needs to take place either way. Do the ATO training requirements differ? e.g. for a new licence (as opposed to a conversion) do I need to do a full 45 hour minimum structured course? Or just tick the competency boxes as judged by an instructor?
Irv Lee's website (higherplane.co.uk) recommends it is easier to convert to the EASA PPL via an NPPL. What is the process for that path? Does it require currency?