CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1 Present licence taking in account one’s sweetheart (12) 8 Extravagant old gentleman sent back dish (7) 9 Revolutionary artist with brush tip spoils icon collection (7) 11 Teacher losing last resistance for European student (7) 12 Short-term trendy cut involves energy (7) 13 Flash around river reveals fish (5) 14 ‘Relate’ being bold to break up a heartache? (9) 16 Nudge holding a balance (9) 19 Part initially revolving or turning over rapidly (5) 21 A torrent going over round grand American falls (7) 23 Use former wife’s intrigue to keep single (7) 24 English Literature First for snob (7) 25 Caught in final leg, rowed briskly (7) 26 Excellent time raced before finish in track (12)

DOWN

1 Rogue wearing suit is 21, maybe (7) 2 Best could be one of worst (7) 3 Terrible idea so far previously mentioned (9) 4 All performers express disapproval on sex being raised (5) 5 Bird identified by crows? (7) 6 Small airline serving part of Russia (7) 7 Drunk on pub terrace displaying beer belly? (12) 10 Earn more until cut changes salary (12) 15 China working on replica (9) 17 This person fronts a bank, getting richer (7) 18 Roman perhaps flipping great penetrating translation of Latin (7) 19 Check Queen record oddly unlisted (7) 20 However tense, meditation is the answer (7) 22 Cheers up endlessly minute garret (5)