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2498: Cross-country

The unclued lights are all non-words, but each can be resolved into a pair of thematic solutions. Across 1 Game stuffed with hard vegs (6) 7 Lacks confidence, but somehow is seen in parties (6) 13 Cast of Hamlet gutted about falling-out (5) 15 Feature of credit (9) 16 Sister screwed up extra chances at

2495: Contrary

Four unclued lights of a kind, one of two words with an apostrophe, include the theme word. The remaining unclued lights (one as a pair), all but the literary solution at 41 Across verifiable in Brewer, can be linked with this theme word. Elsewhere, ignore one accent. Across 1 Psephological survey that’s on the way

2492: Little man

Unusually this week, one unclued light includes the theme word which can also be linked with all the other unclued lights, which include a pair. One light is made up of two words, -another of three. Ignore an apostrophe. 33D requires solvers to imagine that an apostrophe s is there, too! Brewer confirms the theme.

2489: Fade away

Each of the unclued lights, (four of two words), individually or as a pair can be linked with an unclued name suggested by the title, all verifiable in Brewer. Across 4 Wide support for the chair, one seen on TV? (11)13 Surgeon’s probe appears cool after operation (11) 15 Cut some of the wood (3)

Spectator Christmas party

At the Spectator Christmas PARTY(90) the TREE (42D) has a FAIRY (22), a STAR (78) and TINSEL strewn around (41, 42A, 50). The STARTER (or 81) is followed by 30 and 75 {3,3}. The TURKEY has come from France (67D), the GOOSE is accompanied by 20 and 31D, and the 102’s are followed by 15,

2485: Triplets

The unclued lights (all but one either hyphened or of two words) share a distinctive feature. Across 1 Fun and games of conservative leader amongst those opposing him (6) 7 Cost out red herald’s tunic, once (6) 13 Less convincing Debussy composition …. (5, two words) 16 … and which gets first directed badly by

2482: Perm all five

The unclued lights (one of two words) display a common feature, different in each case. Across 1 Fundamentalist group keeps imprisoning old lady (5) 6 Runs out of banners for ships (8) 14 This slow match at Ibrox, when second-rate, would lack edge (4)15 Nosy parker holds son captive (8) 16 About a pound, one

2479: Shielded

The unclued lights (one of two words and one hyphened) are of a kind, verifiable in Brewer. Across 10 United in love, writhing, it produces seed (5) 11 Lady Taverner takes sanctuary more than once (5) 14 Gather the harvest, measure spoken about, then cut (6) 15 If at odds, get an intermediary (5) 17

2476: Playtime

The ten unclued lights (one of two words and hyphened) consist of two themes which can be resolved into five playful pairs. Elsewhere, ignore one accent. Across 10 Source of painting old archdeacon found in spring (10)12 Display and make lace as well (6)13 Richard Murphy, it’s said, is a tyrant (8)17 Tending to wear

2473: May

The unclued lights (two of two words) are of a kind. Across 12 To make sense of Sun puzzle, many go on and on (10)14 17 regularly discloses gun? (3)15 One fated, cruelly, to have no ear? (8, hyphened)17 A medic’s morning tipple? (5, two words)19 We’re told Roman king suffers ruin (6)22 Rallying cry

2470: Express route

The unclued lights from 1 Down to 44 are of a kind with 4 overrunning a barline into 22. Ignore their four accents. The highlighted squares, read in order row by row reveal the theme and are a translation of the puzzle’s title. Across 1 Most splendid former capital with bombed site (8)5 Upmarket magazine

2467: Girl talk

Ten of the eleven unclued lights are of a kind and consist of singleton of two words, three pairs and a trio. The eleventh unclued is thematic when paired with an anagram of the five highlighted red letters. Elsewhere, ignore an apostrophe and an accent. Across 4 Talked of mark on potato magazine (9)11 Little

2464: Topsy-turvy

  14 which is unclued below, but is clued elsewhere, has to be divided into three components (one a Spanish imperative), each of which is linked with a trio of unclued lights. Across 1 US soldier with Christmas novelty among my low-value ornaments (11) 7/40 Bowler on Anglo-French 10s (6) 11 Fruit, almost a pound,

2461: Hot off?

The unclued lights (individually or four pairs) lead to a word or phrase which includes a thematic component. Across 1 Shetland viol berceuse regularly appearing for Zoroastrians (7)6 New guest admitting the French Dravidian speakers (7)11 Group of eight with leader of orchestra around court (6)14 Audibly criticise Aubrey’s sheep run (5)15 Online greeting accepted

2458: Bardicarum

The unclued Across lights are of a kind, as are the associated Down ones. Across 1 Friendship revealed by American Dream endlessly renewed (11)7/40 Chubby girl’s crime? (6)13 Harem guards regularly return fuchsias, as if gone astray (7)15 Banker in Berlin spending a lot? (5)16 Strips off for spa treatments (5)18 Cove finding home to

2455: Shadow boxing

The unclued lights (two of two words and one hyphened), individually or as three pairs are of a kind. The red squares, when correctly arranged, reveal an associated name (6,6) which solvers must include when submitting their solution. Across 1 Cut of meat, peas and cole stewed (8)6 Whiteness of church garment at start of

2452: Comme on dit

The unclued lights (five of two words and one of three) should be paired to reveal four expressions verifiable in Brewer. Ignore one accent. Across 10 Plant setter left, it being covered in resin (5)11 Hardy bay tree? Obviously not (6)12 Bioethical problem of 150 willing to participate with 18 (7)16 Central American distributed narcotics

2449: Stateless

Eight thematic words (one of two words), which solvers have to discover and whose two-letter abbreviations form the anagram I’M IRISH-CAVAN-YORK, do not appear in the grid, as the title suggests, but each can be linked with one of the unclued lights. Two unclued lights are of two words, another includes an apostrophe and a

2446: Spring time

Each clue defines the full solution to which the letter-count refers. However, the cryptic wordplay leads to the grid entry, after one letter has been omitted each time it appears in the full solution. The omitted letters in clue order reveal a relevant timely phrase which solvers should include with their entry. Across 1 Helped

2443: Middle of the road

The unclued lights are of a kind. Chambers does not include 17D.   Across 4 New cabinet door which bears information (11) 11 Depict England captain Illingworth after drink (7) 12 Unploughed land where member takes in bad air (6, hyphened) 13 In France, he is in school, for the most part (9) 14 Good