CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1 Repeat charge about corruption (6)

4 Paul occasionally interrupts loud argument in high-pitched voice (8)

9 It’s natural being part of rowing crew, reportedly (6) 10 Coach deportment (8) 11 Family from Nelson possibly joining audience (9) 13 Garment reflecting fashion seen across Northern Ireland (5) 14 Friend defends extremely raunchy southern song, making bloomer (13)

17 Lenders with plenty travelling in glorious style (13) 21 Increase extent of victory over gutless Dundee (5)

23 Books penned by a legend, surprisingly becoming involved (9)

24 American acquiring new piece of furniture that’s wobbly (8) 25 Toasts Ivy League university Head of Science (6) 26 Discover what sounds like small change in expectation (8) 27 Coin almost cast without gold (6) DOWN 1 Cheerful under pressure in difficult situation (6) 2 Forsakes awkward encounters with no end of embarrassment (9)

3 Last longer than unfashionable sport (7)

5 Bet Madonna is disturbed about production’s ultimate cancellation (11)

6 Extend term of imprisonment (7) 7 Exercise that may be taken daily on way to work? (5)

8 Best comedian, half-ignored, left previously (8)

12 Writer on vacation enjoys entertaining child for director (5,6)

15 PM fine with second-class transportation to America once (9)

16 Good incentive taken up to employ individual adults (5-3) 18 Ancestry Neil concocted over period of time (7) 19 Number given brief training, it’s helpful to climber (7) 20 Absence of arrogance is over for inventor (6) 22 Starts to dispute Oslo staging European superheavyweight bouts (5)