Independent Cryptic #1754

2023-10-08

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Across

1a

Old artist following rock band member of big fish's entourage (6)

4a

Flower: hard for audience to spot this means a body of water (8)

10a

Making obscure knowledge challenging to acquire (9)

11a

Timeless opera getting royal accolade (5)

12a

Copper overwhelmed by demand reviewed schedule for summer (10)

13a

Part of tedious speech to the West Bromwich Albion hosts (4)

16a

Head of eighteenth century school (4)

17a

It snaps furiously at gorilla (9)

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19a

Scandalously Fleet Street scarcely covers spreader of disease (9)

22a

Talked about process writing part for certain instruments (4)

24a

Cord about to be cut by surgical procedure (4)

25a

Unknown lives in Dutch region victim of Viking raid (10)

27a

The man's going to ring magazine (5)

29a

Tight-lipped MI5 has departing very dignified leader embalmed (9)

30a

Horse's mate threatening to kick us (8)

31a

Messenger carried by another messenger (6)

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Down

1d

Obscure Communist law (6)

2d

The one writing lines left note received by stage actress (11)

3d

Funeral uses dancing to expunge a feeling of sorrow (10)

5d

Cat initially resents everyone embracing new dog (7)

6d

Sun triumphed over cold weather (4)

7d

Dismiss ultimately deficient retainer (3)

8d

Yes I must leave PM on fringes of remote county (8)

9d

Bug government agency to catch villain (6)

14d

Novice hesitating to enter reformed humanist denomination (11)

15d

Is core of Dave Eggers novel confrontational? (10)

18d

Celebrities meeting cool 80s band (8)

20d

Servant following order to procure books and falling short (7)

21d

One frequently downcast in company of master classical musician (6)

23d

Sportswear company's commercial concepts essentially lacking (6)

26d

First mouthful of cappuccino: fine start to one's morning (4)

28d

Lines containing nothing that amuses me (3)