- 
	
	
	
	
		Across
 1 Bankrupt regretted embracing hollow illusion (6) RUINED
 4 Material in article pinched by humorous writer (7)LEATHER
 9 New set primed for paint (9)DISTEMPER
 10 Dance in uncertain state (5)LIMBO
 11 Captured period, retaining look in old-fashioned cinema (11)NICKELODEON
 14 Run into great area of land (4)ACRE
 15 Dramatic rendition of choir isn’t entertaining one (10) HISTRIONIC
 17 Guarantee fuel, securing litre subsequently (10) COLLATERAL
 18 Speaker’s solitary advance (4)LOAN
 20 Betray twenty in style of ancient Rome? (6-5)DOUBLE-CROSS
 23 Engineers joining line in charge for survival (5)RELIC
 24 Proper uncertainty reflected in gambling (9)BEFITTING
 25 Mark for each escape (7)SCARPER
 26 Superior ordered no rise (6)SENIOR
 
 
 Down
 1 Sadly cry and end up without power, showing uselessness (10) REDUNDANCY
 2 Home and dry, you finally rest safely? On the contrary (10) INSECURITY
 3 Team taking part in cruel event (6)ELEVEN
 4 Flair the angler wildly exaggerated (6,4,4)LARGER THAN LIFE
 5 Opponent among last struggling for lost land (8)ATLANTIS
 6 Be busy, quietly coming to prominence (4)HUMP
 7 Rip off piece starting in corner (4)ROOK
 8 Counterpart to pope is afflicted with senseless hesitation (8,6) OPPOSITE NUMBER
 12 Motion in an old car showing advancing age (4,6)ANNO DOMINI
 13 Using garlic in a stew, left out sweet powder (5,5)ICING,SUGAR
 16 Hamper with help I cover (8) HANDICAP
 19 Tool chest rattled, holding unknown quantity (6) SCYTHE
 21 Flower heads for instance rich in scent (4) IRIS
 22 Fold, lacking time for appeal (4) PLEA
 
 :clap::clap::clap: Good!
 
 
- 
	
	
	
	
		xChequer
 
 Across
 7 Duct not empty but free-flowing (6)
 8 Arrived without energy, voicing distress in drive (8)
 9 Rocket leaves earth at separating sequence (8)
 10 Everyone else got her seat reserved (6)
 11 Slips in small jokes (5)
 12 Alternative thesis holds up (6)
 14 Prepare to shift onus, losing pride (4,2,4,5)
 17 Dog spacing out blackbird (6)
 18 Limited firm (5)
 22 Release book without jacket, butler intervenes (6)
 23 Mention glitches after one in two shakes (2,2,4)
 24 My ideal spot in coastal road (8)
 25 Withdraw in simulated trance (6)
 
 Down
 1 Intimate secret about kin abroad (5-4)
 2 Tip one sketching picture, say, a complimentary payment (6)
 3 Small-time music band (5)
 4 Stamps with impression of 'Yours truly' rejected by managers (8)
 5 A physicality essentially seen in male and his manner of doing something (8)
 6 Originally ancient area to gather, over in Greece (5)
 8 Excited seeing caramel custard (5,8)
 13 Picking up beefcakes that don't upset stomachs? (2,3,4)
 15 Spot fish, including bass, gently moving in water (8)
 16 Policy fee to cover undertaking (8)
 19 Flawless in diplomacy (6)
 20 Folding mattress, put up merino tufted cushions (5)
 21 Still to introduce missing son (5)
 
 GRID
 
 
- 
	
	
	
	
		Across
 7 Duct not empty but free-flowing (6) (FLUE)(N[-o]T)
 8 Arrived without energy, voicing distress in drive (8) (CAM)(PAIGN ~pain)
 9 Rocket leaves earth at separating sequence (8)
 10 Everyone else got her seat reserved (6)
 11 Slips in small jokes (5)
 12 Alternative thesis holds up (6)
 14 Prepare to shift onus, losing pride (4,2,4,5) GIRD UP ONES LOINS*
 17 Dog spacing out blackbird (6)
 18 Limited firm (5)
 22 Release book without jacket, butler intervenes (6)
 23 Mention glitches after one in two shakes (2,2,4)
 24 My ideal spot in coastal road (8)
 25 Withdraw in simulated trance (6)
 
 Down
 1 Intimate secret about kin abroad (5-4)
 2 Tip one sketching picture, say, a complimentary payment (6)
 3 Small-time music band (5)
 4 Stamps with impression of 'Yours truly' rejected by managers (8)
 5 A physicality essentially seen in male and his manner of doing something (8)
 6 Originally ancient area to gather, over in Greece (5)
 8 Excited seeing caramel custard (5,8) CREME ANGLAISE*
 13 Picking up beefcakes that don't upset stomachs? (2,3,4)
 15 Spot fish, including bass, gently moving in water (8)
 16 Policy fee to cover undertaking (8)
 19 Flawless in diplomacy (6) IN/TACT
 20 Folding mattress, put up merino tufted cushions (5)
 21 Still to introduce missing son (5)
 
 
- 
	
	
	
	
		Across
 7 Duct not empty but free-flowing (6) (FLUE)(N[-o]T)
 8 Arrived without energy, voicing distress in drive (8) (CAM)(PAIGN ~pain)
 9 Rocket leaves earth at separating sequence (8)
 10 Everyone else got her seat reserved (6)
 11 Slips in small jokes (5)
 12 Alternative thesis holds up (6)
 14 Prepare to shift onus, losing pride (4,2,4,5) GIRD UP ONES LOINS*
 17 Dog spacing out blackbird (6)
 18 Limited firm (5)
 22 Release book without jacket, butler intervenes (6)
 23 Mention glitches after one in two shakes (2,2,4)
 24 My ideal spot in coastal road (8)
 25 Withdraw in simulated trance (6)
 
 Down
 1 Intimate secret about kin abroad (5-4)
 2 Tip one sketching picture, say, a complimentary payment (6)
 3 Small-time music band (5)
 4 Stamps with impression of 'Yours truly' rejected by managers (8)
 5 A physicality essentially seen in male and his manner of doing something (8)
 6 Originally ancient area to gather, over in Greece (5)
 8 Excited seeing caramel custard (5,8) CREME ANGLAISE*
 13 Picking up beefcakes that don't upset stomachs? (2,3,4) ON THE MEND
 15 Spot fish, including bass, gently moving in water (8) DABBLING
 16 Policy fee to cover undertaking (8) PRACTICE
 19 Flawless in diplomacy (6) IN/TACT
 20 Folding mattress, put up merino tufted cushions (5) FUTON
 21 Still to introduce missing son (5) INERT
 
 
- 
	
	
	
	
		Across
 7 Duct not empty but free-flowing (6) (FLUE)(N[-o]T)
 8 Arrived without energy, voicing distress in drive (8) (CAM)(PAIGN ~pain)
 9 Rocket leaves earth at separating sequence (8)
 10 Everyone else got her seat reserved (6)
 11 Slips in small jokes (5)
 12 Alternative thesis holds up (6)
 14 Prepare to shift onus, losing pride (4,2,4,5) GIRD UP ONES LOINS*
 17 Dog spacing out blackbird (6) BEAGLE
 18 Limited firm (5)
 22 Release book without jacket, butler intervenes (6)OUTLET
 23 Mention glitches after one in two shakes (2,2,4) IN NO TIME
 24 My ideal spot in coastal road (8) CORNICHE
 25 Withdraw in simulated trance (6)
 
 Down
 1 Intimate secret about kin abroad (5-4) CLOSE-KNIT
 2 Tip one sketching picture, say, a complimentary payment (6)
 3 Small-time music band (5)
 4 Stamps with impression of 'Yours truly' rejected by managers (8)
 5 A physicality essentially seen in male and his manner of doing something (8)
 6 Originally ancient area to gather, over in Greece (5)
 8 Excited seeing caramel custard (5,8) CREME ANGLAISE*
 13 Picking up beefcakes that don't upset stomachs? (2,3,4) ON THE MEND
 15 Spot fish, including bass, gently moving in water (8) DABBLING
 16 Policy fee to cover undertaking (8) PRACTICE
 19 Flawless in diplomacy (6) IN/TACT
 20 Folding mattress, put up merino tufted cushions (5) FUTON
 21 Still to introduce missing son (5) INERT
 
 
- 
	
	
	
	
		Across
 7 Duct not empty but free-flowing (6) (FLUE)(N[-o]T)
 8 Arrived without energy, voicing distress in drive (8) (CAM)(PAIGN ~pain)
 9 Rocket leaves earth at separating sequence (8)ESCALATE
 10 Everyone else got her seat reserved (6)OTHERS
 11 Slips in small jokes (5)SKIDS
 12 Alternative thesis holds up (6)HEISTS
 14 Prepare to shift onus, losing pride (4,2,4,5) GIRD UP ONES LOINS*
 17 Dog spacing out blackbird (6) BEAGLE
 18 Limited firm (5)TIGHT
 22 Release book without jacket, butler intervenes (6)OUTLET
 23 Mention glitches after one in two shakes (2,2,4) IN NO TIME
 24 My ideal spot in coastal road (8) CORNICHE
 25 Withdraw in simulated trance (6)RECANT
 
 Down
 1 Intimate secret about kin abroad (5-4) CLOSE-KNIT
 2 Tip one sketching picture, say, a complimentary payment (6)REWARD
 3 Small-time music band (5)STRAP
 4 Stamps with impression of 'Yours truly' rejected by managers (8)EMBOSSES
 5 A physicality essentially seen in male and his manner of doing something (8)MACHISMO
 6 Originally ancient area to gather, over in Greece (5)AGORA
 8 Excited seeing caramel custard (5,8) CREME ANGLAISE*
 13 Picking up beefcakes that don't upset stomachs? (2,3,4) ON THE MEND
 15 Spot fish, including bass, gently moving in water (8) DABBLING
 16 Policy fee to cover undertaking (8) PRACTICE
 19 Flawless in diplomacy (6) IN/TACT
 20 Folding mattress, put up merino tufted cushions (5) FUTON
 21 Still to introduce missing son (5) INERT
 
 :clap::clap::clap: Very good!
 
 
- 
	
	
	
	
		xChequer
 
 Across
 7 Spit out a normal drink like barley water (6)
 8 Favourite in shows up in contests with others (8)
 9 Unpretentious places where people live, a joke (8)
 10 Rowing over daughter lacking in guts (6)
 11 Fashion model has exercise (5)
 12 Exhausted nurse is overcome (6)
 14 Come back to plague his rule, a tragedy in the making (4,3,4,4)
 17 Observing zero hour is irrelevant (6)
 18 Does this to stop littering? Society benefits (5)
 22 Particular assignment (6)
 23 Institution turned sick, pounds not easily cashed (8)
 24 One accustomed to crow before being introduced to cuckoo clock (8)
 25 Beer we drunk came from here (6)
 
 Down
 1 Degenerates are attached to souvenirs (9)
 2 A notice describing essence of healthy power napping (6)
 3 Bird in ecstasy, legs flipped (5)
 4 Abiding extremes of idealism before killing (8)
 5 Cut back on chain stores, rent in different places (8)
 6 Could be 1d (5)
 8 Question clean baffled attendant (13)
 13 Dismayed with nuclear bombs becoming versatile (4-5)
 15 Controlled fire with small rifles (8)
 16 Utterly spoilt without a guardian (8)
 19 Reportedly pale and irritated (6)
 20 Trade corporate shares, furnishing scheme (5)
 21 World should be left in good order (5)
 
 GRID
 
 
- 
	
	
	
	
		Across
 7 Spit out a normal drink like barley water (6)
 8 Favourite in shows up in contests with others (8)
 9 Unpretentious places where people live, a joke (8)
 10 Rowing over daughter lacking in guts (6)
 11 Fashion model has exercise (5)
 12 Exhausted nurse is overcome (6)
 14 Come back to plague his rule, a tragedy in the making (4,3,4,4)
 17 Observing zero hour is irrelevant (6)
 18 Does this to stop littering? Society benefits (5)
 22 Particular assignment (6)
 23 Institution turned sick, pounds not easily cashed (8)
 24 One accustomed to crow before being introduced to cuckoo clock (8)
 25 Beer we drunk came from here (6)
 
 Down
 1 Degenerates are attached to souvenirs (9)
 2 A notice describing essence of healthy power napping (6)
 3 Bird in ecstasy, legs flipped (5)
 4 Abiding extremes of idealism before killing (8)
 5 Cut back on chain stores, rent in different places (8)
 6 Could be 1d (5)
 8 Question clean baffled attendant (13) CONSEQUENTIAL
 13 Dismayed with nuclear bombs becoming versatile (4-5) MANY-SIDED
 15 Controlled fire with small rifles (8) RANSACKED
 16 Utterly spoilt without a guardian (8) TUTELARY
 19 Reportedly pale and irritated (6)
 20 Trade corporate shares, furnishing scheme (5)
 21 World should be left in good order (5) GLOBE
 
 
- 
	
	
	
	
		Across
 7 Spit out a normal drink like barley water (6)
 8 Favourite in shows up in contests with others (8) COMPETES
 9 Unpretentious places where people live, a joke (8)
 10 Rowing over daughter lacking in guts (6)
 11 Fashion model has exercise (5)
 12 Exhausted nurse is overcome (6)
 14 Come back to plague his rule, a tragedy in the making (4,3,4,4)
 17 Observing zero hour is irrelevant (6)
 18 Does this to stop littering? Society benefits (5) SPAYS
 22 Particular assignment (6)
 23 Institution turned sick, pounds not easily cashed (8) ILLIQUID
 24 One accustomed to crow before being introduced to cuckoo clock (8) COCKEREL
 25 Beer we drunk came from here (6)
 
 Down
 1 Degenerates are attached to souvenirs (9)
 2 A notice describing essence of healthy power napping (6)
 3 Bird in ecstasy, legs flipped (5)
 4 Abiding extremes of idealism before killing (8)
 5 Cut back on chain stores, rent in different places (8)
 6 Could be 1d (5)
 8 Question clean baffled attendant (13) CONSEQUENTIAL
 13 Dismayed with nuclear bombs becoming versatile (4-5) MANY-SIDED
 15 Controlled fire with small rifles (8) RANSACKS
 16 Utterly spoilt without a guardian (8) TUTELARY
 19 Reportedly pale and irritated (6) PIQUED
 20 Trade corporate shares, furnishing scheme (5)
 21 World should be left in good order (5) GLOBE
 
 
- 
	
	
	
	
		Across
 7 Spit out a normal drink like barley water (6)
 8 Favourite in shows up in contests with others (8) COMPETES
 9 Unpretentious places where people live, a joke (8)
 10 Rowing over daughter lacking in guts (6)
 11 Fashion model has exercise (5)
 12 Exhausted nurse is overcome (6)
 14 Come back to plague his rule, a tragedy in the making (4,3,4,4)
 17 Observing zero hour is irrelevant (6) NOTING
 18 Does this to stop littering? Society benefits (5) SPAYS
 22 Particular assignment (6) DETAIL
 23 Institution turned sick, pounds not easily cashed (8) ILLIQUID
 24 One accustomed to crow before being introduced to cuckoo clock (8) COCKEREL
 25 Beer we drunk came from here (6) BREWER
 
 Down
 1 Degenerates are attached to souvenirs (9)
 2 A notice describing essence of healthy power napping (6)
 3 Bird in ecstasy, legs flipped (5)
 4 Abiding extremes of idealism before killing (8) IMMORTAL
 5 Cut back on chain stores, rent in different places (8)
 6 Could be 1d (5)
 8 Question clean baffled attendant (13) CONSEQUENTIAL
 13 Dismayed with nuclear bombs becoming versatile (4-5) MANY-SIDED
 15 Controlled fire with small rifles (8) RANSACKS
 16 Utterly spoilt without a guardian (8) TUTELARY
 19 Reportedly pale and irritated (6) PIQUED
 20 Trade corporate shares, furnishing scheme (5) DECOR
 21 World should be left in good order (5) GLOBE