The Telegraph - CRYPTIC CROSSWORD NO: 28,618 - Dec 23 2017

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Clues Answers
A hang-up at Christmas? STOCKING
Artist designed channel STRAIT
Attempt to impress that man with old supposition THEORY
Breaking metal chains say, right message TELEGRAM
By the sound of it wet, beloved animal REINDEER
Country that's a let-down? TURKEY
Eager opera singer on the rise AVID
Fear slip after tottering initially TERROR
Figure pathogen out HEPTAGON
Firework, a beauty CRACKER
Fruit that takes time, we hear? SLOE
Given guidance, American English grasped by the masses USHERED
Go back over caterer's cooking RETRACE
Got date and ain't bothered! ATTAINED
Greek character confined to maze, taurine ZETA
Horse, old joke CHESTNUT
Clues Answers
It's wrapped up here PRESENT
Musketeer almost takes me in ATHOME
Native visited restaurant after pub INNATE
Number in round, unknown figure NINETY
One slipping on ice takes off, ending on floor SKATER
Orange tongue MANDARIN
Oz girl leads state ANNOUNCE
Pretty modest about me getting first in linguistics COMELY
Problem, queen possibly admits, is gossip CHITCHAT
Savage beating rather ugly then, after lunch all kicking off BRUTAL
Scoundrel heading for bar before match? BLIGHTER
Tinseltown broadcaster with excellent backing in country LATVIA
Type that is for attack SORTIE
Very cold energy to give away? FREEZING
Wine bottles in -- one's blown CLARINET
Worker flush, perhaps? HAND