Several quite complex wordplays made this an enetertaining puzzle. Thank you to the setter.
| Across | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | JOACHIM – JIM (Callaghan) around O, CH(estnut), all around A | |
| 5 | LINEAR B – BRAE=bank, NIL, all reversed | |
| 9 | CROSSED – did bridge, or CROSS ED caused by the journalists | |
| 13 | LIMITED OVER – LIVER = meat, around MITE=arachnid, DO = cook | |
| 14 | AMARANTHINE – M(inute),ARAN=knitting pattern, in A, THINE | |
| 15 | PYLON – P(ower),YON=that, around L(ine) | |
| 16 | LONG AGO – (GANG)* in (f)LOO(d) | |
| 17 | GIGAWATTS – GIG,A,WA(T,T)S | |
| 18 | EUROVISION SONG CONTEST – (NOTORIOUS VOTING SCENES)* | |
| 23 | INFANTRY – IN = stylish, TRY = attempt, around FAN = lover | |
| 25 | deliberately omitted, please ask if necessary | |
| 27 | PITHEAD – PITH = tissue, E(lectric), AD(vertisement)=plug | |
| 30 | DRY UP – gas as in talk | |
| 32 | OPEN-TOP – OPEN TO = willing to entertain (or consider), P(iano) | |
| 33 | TEA CHESTS – TEACHES = trains, T(hu)S | |
| 35 | INFLUENZA – (ZEAL IN FUN)* | |
| 36 | GUY-ROPE – cryptic definition | |
| 37 | deliberately omitted, please ask if necessary | |
| 38 | RETSINA – hidden reversed in caribbeAN IS TERrorised | |
| 40 | DURBAN – D(uke),URBAN = Pope | |
| 41 | DIMAGGIO – DIM=not quick, A GO around GI | |
| 44 | WHERE DID YOU GET THAT HAT – cryptic double definition | |
| 48 | PLAYGROUP – (POPULAR G(u)Y)* | |
| 50 | BELARUS – BEAR around L(atin), followed by US | |
| 53 | OWNER – (d)OWNER = depression | |
| 54 | INDIRECT TAX – INDIRECT = roundabout, followed by TAX(i) = vehicle | |
| 55 | TRIBUTE BAND – (A BIT BUT END)+ around R(egina) | |
| 56 | GUESSED – sounds like guest = visitor | |
| 57 | YIDDISH – YID=DIY=repairs to kitchen, reversed, followed by DISH = plate | |
| 58 | BONE DRY – BOY around N,E =points, DR = medic | |
| Down | ||
| 1 | deliberately omitted, please ask if necessary | |
| 2 | A A MILNE – (ANIMAL)*, followed by (lif)E | |
| 3 | HIT-AND-RUN – HIT=success, AND=with, RUN=single (in cricket) | |
| 4 | MODEL – MO = method of operating, DEL=L.E.D. reversed (or wheeled) | |
| 5 | LOVE NEST – LO, VEN=archdeacon, EST(ablished) | |
| 6 | NERVA – NEA(r) = to hand, around RV. A Roman emperor, but not one that I had heard of | |
| 7 | deliberately omitted, please ask if necessary | |
| 8 | BEAT GENERATION – BEAT=strike, GENERATION=energy production | |
| 9 | CHARGE CAP – CHARGE=rush, CA=about, P=quietly | |
| 10 | ON TOW – final letters (tips) of tO investigatioN buT toO feW | |
| 11 | SAINT PETERSBURG – SAT = day, around IN, PETERS = gradually reduces, BURG=GRUB reversed | |
| 12 | DEEPSET – double definition | |
| 19 | VIRGOAN – VI=girl,R,GOAN = from the West of India, not the West Indies! The house is the astrological house of Virgo | |
| 20 | OLD STAGER – (EG AT LORDS)* | |
| 21 | NOTCHES – N,OT,CHES(t) | |
| 22 | KINDLIER – KINDLER = lighter, around I | |
| 24 | FLY OFF THE HANDLE – FLY, (THEN HEAD OFF)* | |
| 26 | TIPSY CAKE – (ICKY PASTE)* | |
| 28 | DISALLOW – tricky wordplay. DI=ID=badge reversed (going up), SAL=girl, LOW=down | |
| 29 | TEA AND SYMPATHY – cryptic definition | |
| 31 | PAULINE – PAU=French city,LINE | |
| 34 | AMERICA – internal letters of lAMb vERy sICk lAy | |
| 39 | AMINO ACID – A,MIN=short space of time,O=ring,A,CID=detectives | |
| 42 | ASHMOLEAN – A,SH = quite,MO = second,LEAN = spare | |
| 43 | STARFISH – STA(R,F,I)SH. “Well armed customer is an amusing definition” | |
| 44 | WAPPING – WA(P,P,IN)G | |
| 45 | UNBOXED – Double definition. “Not challenged about ring” referring to the boxing ring | |
| 46 | TYNWALD – the parliament (diet) of the Isle of Man. The wordplay is again tricky – “tips” means to tip over, or reverse, and the construction is D=last letter of included, LAWN = green, YT = outer letters of yoghurt. | |
| 47 | FRIDAY – alternate letters in FoR hIs DiArY | |
| 49 | GIRDS – GRIDS = networks, with the R moved down | |
| 51 | deliberately omitted, please ask if necessary | |
| 52 | SQUIB – QU,I in the central two letters of liSBon | |
18 was a very good clue, but so were many others.