Double Crossword

Cryptic puzzle

Across

7. Bit of news about wine (6)

8. Put money into underwear (6)

10. Genuine because half-real (7)

11. Exhausted - nobody went out (3,2)

12. He has one out before fifty (4)

13. He gives editor the victory (5)

17. The first doctor to be a non-worker? (5)

18. Expensive letter-opener (4)

22. Applaud about 1,000 - it holds things together (5)

23. Entails being outstanding (7)

24. Plunders for guns (6)

25. Graduate’s backward boy had great strength (6)

Down

1. A gift for the moment? (7)

2. Dog in lapse (7)

3. Short fibre (5)

4. Oration in Canada (7)

5. Prisoner’s room has nothing in the way of an instrument (5)

6. Try to get a seat, paradoxically (5)

9. State of being prepared for literacy? (9)

14. Support the wrong forecaster (7)

15. One goes into it backwards (7)

16. Set of bars that irritate (7)

19. Music for twenty instruments? (5)

20. Saw if stray children appeared (5)

21. It’s obvious the French get in the vehicle (5)

Quick puzzle

Across

7. Bear (6)

8. Stature (6)

10. Win back (7)

11. Dance (5)

12. Observe (4)

13. Titan (5)

17. Popularity (5)

18. Boast (4)

22. Commence (5)

23. Tousled (7)

24. Vocalist (6)

25. Cupboard (6)

Down

1. Scorching (7)

2. Instruct (7)

3. Fracture (5)

4. Fate (7)

5. Acute pain (5)

6. Sharpen (5)

9. Equivocal (9)

14. Originator (7)

15. Pledge (7)

16. Disturb (7)

19. Revile (5)

20. Representative (5)

21. Art (5)

Friday’s solutions

CRYPTIC

Across: 3 Stag party; 8 Pear; 9 Pestering; 10 Dolour; 11 Assam; 14 Wares; 15 Nice; 16 Yacht; 18 Rung; 20 Horse; 21 Argot; 24 Setter; 25 Endurance; 26 Goon; 27 Gold paint.

Down: 1 Spadework; 2 Ballerina; 4 Tier; 5 Gates; 6 Airman; 7 Tank; 9 Pussy; 11 Ascot; 12 Migration; 13 Deterrent; 17 Three; 19 Ground; 22 Osaka; 23 Undo; 24 Scan.

QUICK

Across: 3 Lucrative; 8 Bait; 9 Diligence; 10 Rocket; 11 Media; 14 Spent; 15 Spin; 16 Heath; 18 Vend; 20 Untie; 21 Tempt; 24 Duress; 25 Judicious; 26 Tiff; 27 Fertility.

Down: 1 Obtrusive; 2 Miscreant; 4 Unit; 5 Raise; 6 Thesis; 7 Vice; 9 Death; 11 Meant; 12 Apathetic; 13 Intensify; 17 Humus; 19 Depict; 22 Phial; 23 Huge; 24 Dust.