The BIG crossword

ACROSS

8 Burnt the fish – a kind of mullet (7)

9 A tightwad toff, but he does wish to help (5,4)

13 Cast in “Mystified” (5)

14 The sequence of events in the wake of (5)

15 Am taking these round, as before (3,4)

16 An opportunity for a key man? (7) 17 So the chap on the outside is the TV lawyer (5)

18 Fly the cockney across (5) 20 Practise golf in the children’s playground (5)

22 Get really confused when you argue with (6)

23 Refused to authorise “The Sound of Music” (6)

25 He seems surprised by the hors d’oeuvre (7)

27 A competition, as opposed to a match (7)

30 Dismissed as “an ignominious defeat all round” (3,3)

31 The R in “country,” or “wrench” (6)

32 Puts the money safely away for tips (5)

35 Let out again and given food outside (5)

36 It’s twaddle, so go back in and rest (5)

37 Order a c-cooker (7)

39 Walk after mum with a rather ungainly walk (7)

41 Just a little heat for the empty room (5)

42 The land at first does have an appeal (5)

43 Not allowing to fly with not much training (9)

44 Sounded furious and ran back into the vehicle (7)

DOWN

1 Make you pay for, when you order (6)

2 Have to bring round to see Robert (8)

3 Be given collectively, at the meeting (3-8)

4 Just act naturally and don’t go in fancy dress (2,7)

5 Isn’t off beat in it for a moment (7) 6 From the start, he was crazy about the little darling (10)

7 She stands for everything English (4)

10 On the way to Oslo, changed seats (6)

11 Off-cream on the outside, the inside in red (7)

12 Were apprehensive when a “35” ran amok (6)

19 It’s five to nine, so carve the meat (7)

21 Very emotional at the tennis break point (7)

24 By which you start to lay claim to the pillow? (4,7)

26 More or less the first thing you associate with a fairground? (10) 28 Pop or otherwise, music right for the occasion (9)

29 The cat, as usual, then scuttles inside (7)

30 You’ll withhold consent? Rubbish! (6) 32 Immediately after the shed, change direction (2,6)

33 The case is a female, at hospital (6)

34 When the working week comes to a close, they’re palsy-walsy! (7) 38 Stronger and less slovenly (6) 40 Measure the crack the rain’s come through (4)