Strange one?? I still occasionally get a warning on the dashboard, but like I said it seems to clear itself the next turn of the ignition or so.
Have you tried a standard bulb back in its place, could just be the bulb? Alternatively as
@boustie suggests, try swapping F25 and F26 fuses from the under bonnet fuse box and see if that makes a difference, could be a fuse gone.
With regards to the drivers side sidelight, it is a PITA but... the way I do it is wrap the cable running to the bulb around a finger and gently wobble the thing up and down and pull slightly and the bulb seat thing comes free. Saves removing the bonnet. This is only advice mind, as potentially you could damage the cabling etc.
Hope this helps mate.