CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 8 Predict role left for recasting (8) 9 Old fellow arresting detective? Very likely! (4,2) 10 School missing first of teachers for long time (3) 11 Cook’s ultimate advantage concerning English rice dish (8) 12 Book that can be adjusted on radio? (6) 13 Bins, bollards and benches for urban loungers? (6,9) 15 Host politician close to office in centre (7) 18 Writer with sex appeal in confines of rich Cumbrian town (7) 21 Mid-year calamity disrupted Sandhurst, say (8,7) 24 Some secret inadequacy found in sensitive element in a viewer (6) 25 I moan terribly about female American of bad repute (8) 26 Manage function (3) 27 Hazy, a bit, in pronouncing Chinese cuisine (3,3) 28 My saintly character? (8) DOWN 1 Importance of mount holding sign (6) 2 Measurement no longer used in competitive division (6) 3 Volunteers summed up with word of thanks (11,4) 4 Joyous sensation arising in much of bay (7) 5 Assemble round unusually nice chef ’s business for ready-made grub (11,4) 6 Wedding vow delayed for one besotted? (8) 7 Private try-out on a regular basis? Nonsense (8) 14 Strike sheep (3) 16 Loves hosting in the flesh with the Italian part of Mediterranean diet (5,3) 17 Most dear minister touring centre of Nice (8) 19 Something to put in drink or decorate a cake? (3) 20 Medical accessory in grey’s redesigned (7) 22 Require partner for supply? (6) 23 Uses bananas with instant dessert (6)