Tuesday 27 October

Across

1 Almost all pie filling inside lacking energy and without flavour (7) 5 Hoffman last to ad-lib lines – could be rubbish in it? (7) 9 Hear about conclusion of royal warrant (5) 10 Working 11 – 1 whatever the consequences (2,3,4) 11 Check case, Charlie brought forward – it’s not going away on holiday (10) 12 Film wanting new runner (3) 14 Reverend Spooner’s adoring congregation means to raise packet? (8,4) 18 Main earners pitching Brewer’s Inn ad (12) 21 Forensic evidence maybe dental occasionally (3) 22 Tempt to the wrong path, given strange delay around Vauxhall? (4,6) 25 Previously mentioned in safe radio broadcast (9) 26 How’s your father holding in any pee – as discussed, it’s awkward (5) 27 Coming home in spring (7) 28 Light’s covering vertical walls in harbour (7)

Down

1 Least occupied hotel’s closing – that is assumed (6) 2 Article undermining fake medicine man (6) 3 Parking in a company car to get drink (4,6) 4 Plan using force to break into empty depot (5) 5 Dr. No about to ascend – meeting his maker? That’s harsh (9) 6 Ultimately traces MacLintock family name to Hebridean island (4) 7 Perhaps manual work supports quiet retail outlet (8) 8 Complains – horribly sick after dodgy pint (3-5) 13 As ever, gig’s turning hostile (10) 15 A story about conservative bishop with lock-keeper? (5,4) 16 Adult shoot with backless dress in capital city (3,5) 17 Macbeth distraught describing Banquo’s end as great sacrifice (8) 19 Content to bury man in grave (6) 20 Priests say God regularly turned up in Pearl’s place? (6) 23 Expected to swallow diamonds – initially stomach swells (5) 24 23 hours essentially to make list (4)