CROSSWORD

TO ENTER Complete the crossword and count how many times the letter ‘X’ appears in the grid. Post your entry to YOU Crossword No 1,621, PO Box 5332, Cardiff Lane, Dublin 2. Closing date is Friday, November 30. One random winner from all correct entries will win a pocket dictionary. The winner will be notified within 14 days. Solution in two weeks.

ACROSS

6 Prize draw (6) 8 Short musical works (8)

10 How 21 down was known to his friends (5) 11 Odd (6) 12 (and 18 down) American entertainer and comedic actor (1911-1985) (4,7)

13 19th-century Italian composer (surname) (9)

15 Spread out, scatter (7)

17 French port (2,5) 19 Began (9) 22 You’ll Never Get ____: how 12 across, 18 down’s show was originally known (4)

23 Boundaries (6)

24 12 across, 18 down had a distinctive one (5) 25 Thinner (8) 26 What 21 down loved to do (6)

DOWN

1 Artificial sweetener (9) 2 The Beatle who had an airport named after him (surname) (6)

3 Short, lively piece of classical music which is usually part of a longer piece of music (7) 4 Obvious (8) 5 Follow That _____: 1967 film in which 12 across, 18 down starred (5)

7 The area that you can see without turning your head (5,2,6)

9 US ideal in which equality of opportunity allows any citizen to aspire to high attainment and material success (8,5)

14 Bad-tempered, cross, irritable (9)

16 Bathing costume (8) 18 See 12 across 20 Actress and model originally called Lesley Hornby (6)

21 Character for which 12 across, 18 down is best remembered (surname) (5)