Table Style - Top Left Cell

I seem to have a problem with text colour in the top left cell of tables in Word:

•       Create empty table -> enter text in top left cell -> apply style – everything works
•       Create empty table -> apply style -> enter text in top left cell – top left text is black, regardless

Also, this problem seems to have been caused by setting a coloured table style as the default.  I confirmed this with another machine.

Create empty table -> apply style -> all good -> set coloured style as default -> create empty table -> top left cell broken.

Having tried this, I set the default style back to the base Word style, but the problem persisted.  I now have two instances of Word where this seems to be borked.😭😭😭

I have been round and round the loop with web searches and LLM’s, I’ve reset my local profile, Normal.dotm, all sorts and no dice.

The table can be fixed using Ctrl+Space to clear direct formatting on cells, allowing the style to come through.  But I want it to work how it should.  This is a style template for others to use, so telling them there is a cumbersome workaround for a failing of Microsoft won’t fly…

To be clear, the issue happens whether I am applying my own custom style or a built-in style.