CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

FOR your chance to win, solve the crossword to reveal the word reading down the shaded boxes. HOW TO ENTER: Call 0901 293 6233 and leave today’s answer and your details, or TEXT 65700 with the word CRYPTIC, your answer and your name. Texts and calls cost £1 plus standard network charges. Or enter by post by sending completed crossword to Daily Mail Prize Crossword 16,950, PO Box 28, Colchester, Essex CO2 8GF. Please include your name and address. One weekly winner chosen from all correct daily entries received between 00.01 Monday and 23.59 Friday. Postal entries must be date-stamped no later than the following day to qualify. Calls/texts must be received by 23.59; answers change at 00.01. UK residents aged 18+, excl NI. Terms apply, see Page 54.

ACROSS

1 Pale workers trained to become acrobats (4-7)

9 Current acting award involves newspaper (7)

10 Stupid fellow dismissed over in Australia (7)

11 Centre of storm in France yesterday (3)

12 Expose drawback in first half of journey? (7)

13 Use soft soap — it’s less lumpy (7)

14 Strenuous physical activity primarily in spring (3)

15 Number three’s unusual (5)

17 Import unit back into Turkey (5)

18 Some dictionaries inspire theatre worker maybe (5)

20 Surrender crop (5)

22 Object of worship?

Try diamonds (3)

24 She loses heart beside unpleasantly crude Don Juan (7)

25 Victor opens surprisingly viable oyster, say (7)

26 I use two sorts of energy (3)

27 Formidable individual, sort of sour (7)

28 They join with senior figures (7)

29 Norah types badly, while preserving good shorthand (11)

DOWN

1 Quality of most trusted aide?

A rare form of dexterity (5-10)

2 Prissy Greek character upset bishop perhaps (7)

3 Carried on being given regular pay (5)

4 Foreign officer enthralled by the French soul (4,5)

5 Withdraw old leaflet (7)

6 Filming Romeo in old ship is fair game (8,7)

7 Jolly Josephine’s captivating solver (6)

8 One attracts lots of interest certainly in Bury’s centre (6)

16 What magicians said when they worked with ropes? (3,6)

18 Millions on course for lucky figure (6)

19 Company’s margins double depression (7)

21 Mature staff on VE day stood up (7)

23 Smart doctor regularly feasts with Yankee (6)

25 Cellist, for example, one who shows respect? (5)