NT gurgled happily, sounding much like they were
saying:

Is this type of rather drastic blown fuse and scattered glass a feature
of the halogen bulbs? (I don't fancy it again, might change kitchen
light to something else).

yes, its one reason halogen lights shold always have a tough glass
cover.

I've never come across it - OK, not a HUGE sample, but a fair few 12v &
240v halogen bulbs. None of the fittings in the house have "tough glass
covers". Or, indeed, any covers at all.