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I think it's pretty much accepted by all of us here that the quality of the Everyman has improved markedly in recent weeks, and this is no exception.

FOI was 1a followed by 1d, both of which got the gastric juices flowing😉😋

The only fly in the ointment might be 6a "little design" and 11a "piece of fruit" - as I know these types of indicators aren't popular with everyone.

If you do get stuck there are the usual long anagrams in both the downs and acrosses.

There are still a couple I can't fully parse, namely 20a and the Spoonerism at 21d but I'm sure of my answers so hopefully will have a PDM before too long:-)

COD - I had marked both 15a and 24a as joint winners until I saw the quite brilliant 21d - Here you see outsized competitors hover excitingly, primarily? (4)

Oh, and prepare to be amazed - I spotted a rhyming pair! No one is more surprised than me 😀

Please feel free to leave a comment and/or ask for a hint if you get stuck.

Thanks to Everyman for a most enjoyable puzzle.

Stay safe:-)

I think I see the Spoonerism but it's a bit different to how they usually work.

.... and I've just got 20a - didn't know that type of bean:-)

Hi, Brendan,

Thanks to Everyman, I also liked this. Far fewer write-ins than usual, really slow start and it took a while to solve.
Agreed on your COD, also liked 16.
Interesting that the solution to 8 appeared in Paul's recent 26,895. Which is likely just a coincidence.
FOI 10, LOI 2.

I agree the Spoonerism is somewhat weird, but atypically saw the answer quickly (I seem to lack the Spooner deciphering gene), so won't complain. :-)

Hi Geeker,

21d reminded me of a skit, albeit several years ago, on "Alas Smith and Jones" (A show with comedians Griff Rhys Jones and the late Mel Smith) - they both take turns going to the 21d while consuming copious amounts of 20a.

I was also glad to see my favourite TV show get a mention at 5d 😈

I'm missing 18D. Pretty sure my crossers are correct.

Crossword solver here was no help for 18D. It only threw up 1 word and it's clearly not(?) the answer. I don't know many 70s films though, so maybe that is the reason.

Used this sites solver for 16A, would never have got that!

14D was clearly the best clue, because of Father Jack of course ;)

Ah I think I have the last letter of 18D wrong, I had an N. I think it is T though.

Hi PS,

18d - 3 letter "taxi" + 2 letter "driver abrasive ultimately" around/capturing "A" then finally "time" - definition is "70's film" - it won 8 Oscars so I'm pretty sure you'll have heard of it:-)