CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Erratic dieters share

fondest wish (6,6) 8 Jolly laughs, along with

Anna’s cry of adoration (7) 9 Opening of recreation centre

interrupted by bar fight (7) 11 Steel pads adapted as

bases for statues (9) 12 British trace native

flora and fauna (5) 13 Fudd running across

Ethel Merman (5) 15 Dopey Disney lad, one

of a notorious seven (6,3) 17 Revamped U.S.-Italian

ship sunk in 1915 (9) 19 Doctor and mimic

hang loose? (5) 21 Express love, in

moral weakness (5) 22 Exiles steer dope astray (9) 24 Taping device with no cup

put in different places (7) 25 Hero’s lover also wearing

lecherous expression (7) 26 Digestive issues wrecked a chess match when eating bagel (7,5) DOWN 1 Orthodox group has

one slightly lit (7) 2 A nut’s wacky

family members (5) 3 Great Dane roaming around outdoor eatery (3,6) 4 Pub game drinker’s

foremost skills (5) 5 Young pigeon,

drained, fought (9) 6 Thinks logically

about a male offspring (7) 7 Help cover dip, nuts,

and meat spread (7,5) 10 Puzzles Arab sentries

with shifts (12) 14 Dutch city’s nonsense phrase about Russian agreement (9) 16 Place a pal moved,

unaccompanied (1,8) 18 Lose control of the car in entering gush of water (4,3) 20 Schedules a general

article in German (7) 22 Kind of column covered

in mud or ice (5) 23 Get to run individually (5)