CRYPTIC CROSSWORD

ACROSS 1. Personal assistant’s attempt to get chefs who make cakes (11) 8. A couple of fivers backed for this part of the joint (5) 9. Made something new – or a fuss, perhaps (7) 10. Which person is which between covers? (4,3) 11. Dialect speech form is one I’d back with honour (5) 12. Bet he was one who could doodle tunefully (6) 14. Commander about to finish the things to be done (6) 18. Breather one has with material for a loincloth (5) 19. Victoria came across, only to fall like lead (7) 21. It was absorbing material for writers to use (7) 23. He won’t see any good being a philosopher in Athens (5) 24. Without spectacles it sees the need a key provides (3,5,3) DOWN 1. Why a tap like this produces a route to the brain (7) 2. Phoebus Descending, as it gets dark (7) 3. Eastcheap first: Wren developed it to renovate it (5) 4. Silly fellow needs a pint to wake Robin (6) 5. The inauguration of a theatrical first night (7) 6. The whole collection may become solid (3) 7. In such a way Catholic dignitary went to City of the Plain (5) 13. A letter from Peel It’s turned out to be (7) 15. One put forward, and one upset about explosive device (7) 16. The object is, to apprentice somebody (7) 17. Region in South Africa where training was rigorous (6) 18. To say what sort of person one is, tie one on him (5) 20. He’s relatively involved in impignoration (5) 22. It is frequently to be found in verse (3)