TELEGRAPH CROSSWORDS

Across

7 Initially joyless, viewer’s good-humoured (7)

8 Drink of disgusting cola provided by dad (7)

10 One may get stuck into a literary work (9)

11 Friend taking Ecstasy in passage (5)

12 Knowing secret place, Rex escapes (5)

13 A game, a dance and a wee dram? (9)

15 Goodness me, a new blemish in the country! (7)

17 PM facing test in respect of Boris Johnson at one time? (7) 18 Message to decomputerise? Jolly well tell me! (3,4,2) 20 Smart police operation (5) 21 Thus rodent goes around edible plants (5)

23 Maybe they are no longer funny trees (9)

24 Children’s author didn’t manage the whole lot (7) 25 Articles exposing the top people (7)

Down

1 Noble worker kept under by a cold bean-counter? (10)

2 Secretive about work and quiet – or careless? (6)

3 Person in pulpit shows power, one getting somewhere (8)

4 From which we may deduce Eva’s to keep some money by (4,2) 5 Reticent about Conservative traitor, about to become irritable (8)

6 Stone circle with china buried under it (4)

7 Escort from abroad undermining task is unhelpful ally (4,9)

9 Scientists working in school’s pigsty (13)

14 Time at home, takes advantage of Victoria and others (10)

16 Report of man wounded in something through the letter box? (8)

17 Like sort of woman providing test – the female’s lovely but totally heartless! (8)

19 Journalist and boss gained unauthorised access online (6) 20 Day with vehicle going wrong way – should have used this? (6)

22 Unpleasant row (4)