Stewin, i know why is 12v zener there, if u refer to original phillips apps note, there is 4.7k resistor from positive rails which on your schematic is 33k, and 4.7k clamp with 12v zener to keep the voltage not over than 12v from positive supply rails. I`ve seen on hypex module similar to this they make separate 12v supply to hi and low side, like we can have aux using tip41c 2 pcs feed on each rails, so we no longer need 33k resistor on ur schema and 4.7k resistor on phillips ucd so we can avoid them both. also 12v zener can be avoid too.
so we have problem if we took 4.7k resistor clamp with 12v zener and by using tip41c to have aux 12v supply, so we have problem here, tip transistor will be blown because of hi current feed through 4.7k resistor, if u remove 12v zener without only, and aux supply at hi side will be more than 12v and will blown mosfet, then u take 33k resistor and i`ve measure that voltage is about 15v is acceptable. But its for max +/- 50vdc, if more than that the 33k resistor need to change or mosfet will blown again.
for my opinion to have enough current and stable at aux supply on each hi and low side we should mount 2 tips or even hinger voltage like MJE13005-007-009 for high voltage so we no longer need to care about 12v zener clamp and resistor change. and seems that this solution to be safe, i do simulation with this configuration and lets see how its going. If success i`ll do it experiment it in real life, because i do simulation with 33k res and without zener 12v is not enough aux supply on hi side, this will provide distort at high volume too.
regards