Crossword

Quick crossword

ACROSS

3 Did better with excerpts in banker's retreat (8)

8 I'm involved in Stewart's comeback as a fashion icon (4)

9 Illicit drinking time that damaged our fathers? (5,5)

10 Secular state is in charge (4)

11 Take liberties with the girl (4)

13 Dances with insurgents, losing initial bravado (5)

17 Magician remains dry during rope trick (6)

18 Breathe out, being healthy at one time? (6)

19 Reproach the revolutionary for having secret identity (5)

22 A country of exercise and sport (4)

24 Criticises return of picture (4)

25 Despatched again and intended – or so we're told – to cause bitterness (10)

26 Artist is yet to be reformed with model (4)

27 Cooked a pitcher, absorbed by desk work (8)

DOWN

1 Where to find the Italian fellow outside? (5)

2 (Making a commotion in bed)? (9)

4 Island church with steep contents (5)

5 Choir's sparking disharmony about rarefied fluid (5)

6 Has a relish for cheek! (5)

7 Tried to arrange infiltration of crack soldiers - what a calamity (8)

12 The sailor goes North to the lake (4)

14 He'd use tax reform, being spent (9)

15 Mince pies with preserve inside for gourmets (8)

16 Actor featured in Niger expedition (4)

20 One's about to take legal action with the paper (5)

21 He's besotted with Irene (5)

22 Author swallows 2000 for fruity French stuff! (5)

23 Swivel camera towards festive show (5)

Last week's winner was Mrs Prentice of East Kilbride. The runners-up were K Mackenzie of Northallerton and B Thomson of Glasgow.

n PRIZE CROSSWORD: SPECTRUM, PAGE 42

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