CROSSWORD

Puzzle No 1046

Clues across

4. Clear your name in court initially as one given to sarcasm (5) 6. Cockney hermit grabs mafia boss (8) 9. Very stupid, on micromanagement (7) 10. A performer makes tastier mixture (7) 11. I err badly in pub resulting in roadblock (7) 12. Wriggling eels can purify (7) 13. Too old, having apparent greeting in Hades (4,3,4) 16. Married the Queen Mother with proof of who I am, an imaginary creature (7) 17. Attempt to find comfort relaxing where the new machine is to be checked over (4,3) 19. Father is back in Shanghai to see young Hazel perhaps? (7) 21. Commercial placed after six, cut badly, way over the top (7) 22. Tools that can make us listen (8) 23. Massage in naked frolic (5)

Clues down

1. A sleeping partner of an undesirable nature, more tender about mid-morning (6) 2. Pavlova follows musicians in a kerchief (4) 3. Loans arranged under the ocean or in the spring perhaps (8) 4. Department head leaves funny show as bishop enters. Do drop round (4,2) 5. Kindness shown within the proper area of play while embraced by actor in makeup (13) 6. Torn crocheting evaluated (9) 7. Botch speaking, surprisingly, from a position of prosperity (2,3,4,4) 8. To make children is a gamble involving genetic engineering (5) 12. Ad agency staff revise act ingeniously (9) 13. Noted, having feet up or dancing (2,6) 14. A young woman is haywire (5) 15. Medicated when Mac, deplorably, departed and put a publication together (6) 18. Some alien urbanite, regressing, developed a whole sultanate (6) 20. Fascinate German leader with epitaph (4)