Across
Noble European artist very taken by Mrs Simpson (8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
Not Wallis, but Homer’s wife MARGE, has RA, V inserted. I knew a margrave was some kind of old European nobleman but couldn’t have told you anything more about it.
Reversing wagon over Joe; how distressing (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
CART reversed with GI Joe inserted.
Nowt wrong with Hindu crime fiction (9)
Previous month, uncovered gold (5)
Skinny daughter sacrificing anything to be a dedicated swimmer (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
LEAN (skinny), D[aught]ER, where aught = anything. Leander in Greek legend was the chap who swam across the Hellespont every summer night to see his love, Hero, but drowned when a winter storm came along, so she drowned herself too. I can’t explain why I knew this trivial story, but I did. If Leander came back after 2022 he could walk over the new bridge, now the longest suspension bridge in the world.
Free love recollected by sailors (7)
Goes off side in a pleasure boat (6,7)
Musical group tight, having consumed two pints, missing second note (6,7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
STRINGENT (tight) loses its second N[ote], and insert QUART = two pints.
Bitter drink affected game plumber's guts (7)
Former copper beginning to erupt, go ballistic! (7)
Huge country home — help is coming round (5)
Place to buy drinks in can that helps to fund the church (5,4)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
THE BAR where you buy drinks, inside TIN = CAN.
Delicious beverage reportedly downed with pirate's approval? (6)
Always empty rooms to let here in Scotland (8)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
AY (always) R[oom]S, HIRE = to let.
Down
Cut almost plausibly fluent figure in the jungle (6)
Simpson put in an appearance, knocked over wine (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
Not Wallis, or Bart, this time, but O.J. of American Football fame who (possibly) didn’t murder his wife and her friend. He is put into AIR (appearance) reversed.
Full game of golf enjoyed — exhausted! (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
ROUND of golf, E[njoye]D.
Ruined investor quit holding large position in entertainment sector (13)
Mature East German blocks fencing thrust (7)
According to Spooner, little Mildred acquired a diver (9)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
Spooner would have said “Millie Got”.
Iron ore, essentially, loaded on board transport vessel (3-5)
Planners try at working honestly and openly (13)
Aid camper getting injured? I might (9)
Conservative group overturning No 1 cut affecting mothers (1-7)
Falls once more going over the border of Rwanda (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
AGAIN reversed = NIAGA, R[wand]A.
Hardy character clutches gospel regularly, having removed hair shirt? (7)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
O P L as above, inside TESS (of the d’Urbervilles).
Hat that is carrying the head? (6)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
BEAN (head) I.E. that is.
Over a thousand tapir — wingless animals (5)
I haven't cracked this one yet — but Times for the Times have:
(edited as pointed out below by G de S and others): O = over, K (a thousand), API = tapir ‘wingless’ as above.
Type letters or click words in the clue