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Thanks to all for the hint. However, it was thanks to a friend who popped in for a coffee this morning who spotted the words straightaway, and she doesn’t do crosswords, and gets bored every time I try to explain the Listener. She even explained the wordplay to “Displaying reason...”,which I couldn’t for the life of me get. So simple. The clue, not her. Maybe we’ll have another female coming on this site soon.

I found this one quite difficult. Had 90% of the answers before fitting any into the grid - so a frustrating start but then a rapid and very enjoyable finish.
Maybe not the best of the year but it would certainly be in my top six.

A small and nerdy offering. The acronym to be removed from the final answer is not obscure if you happen to be a very sad military history buff. Guilty as charged!

Does anyone know why puzzles like the Listener, IQ and EV are barred as opposed to the more traditional black and white squares? Is it because they want to use all available space is is there a more intrinsic reason?

They want to show they know more funny words that can fit together?

Like pegasus backwards, with first and last letters removed, just for fun!

Have 90% of the answers but stuck on the first one "spicy dishes....". Any hints appreciated

Hi Rob,

3 letter word for "retriever" (abbr. of a dog) + 3 letter "rest" both reversed/"brought back" - definition is "spicy dishes"

Hi all!

I've got about two-thirds of the clues solved, but no idea what the theme is, although I can see a link between the 12-letter word and another answer beginning with 'M'. That, and the title, are making me think of the major news story of the year. Am I on the right track?

I'm also yet to tackle the grid and would love a hint for the crematoria clue, as I've exhausted my cold-solving abilities on that one.

Finally, I think I have the answer to the Wick clue, but can't parse the first 4 letters. Help!

Suzannah x

Hi Suzannah,

Crematoria clue is - 4 letters for "men only" (think 'party') reversed/"revolving" around usual abbr. of "hospital" - definition is "crematoria"

Wick clue - French/"to Paris" for "and" and "without" both reversed/"returns"

The theme isn't a news item but a series of well known proverbs/sayings that have a three word phrase in them (2,3,4) connecting the original word and the theme word