The Times - Cryptic - The Sunday Times Christmas crossword by Dean Mayer - December 22, 2013

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Clues Answers
... Wynne cryptically describing writer in 1971 piece? NEWPENNY
23 hosting One Direction's first show? No HIDE
24 Hours — Soviet war film that starred Sean Connery FROMRUSSIAWITHLOVE
A defence against ice left during yesterday? SALT
A doctor no less upset, or an agent AMBASSADOR
A good way to get 50% of sign language FARSI
A tough task keeping top of road level ABREAST
Absence of good drink? Here's a small one NOGGIN
Advanced, as was rival denied one after returning prize? EVOLVED
Antiperspirant mostly masks gathering sweat SUDOR
Art worthy of being serious EARNEST
As Christianity is into this, come to be converted MONOTHEISTIC
Asking what regularly appears in view SIGHT
At home, tyrant has no time for shower INDICATOR
Bee found in high flowering plant EUPHORBIA
Being important, head off into smoke CREATURE
Brain's way to consider idea STRATEGIST
China starts to celebrate early, remembering another milestone in crosswords CERAMIC
Conductor, also theatre, will need volume kept in check ANDREPREVIN
Country with men heading for rural area ANDORRA
Court case involving baby? TRIBUNAL
Cut — and cutter — repaired TRUNCATED
Directions suitable when crossing city RECIPE
Dirty marks on floor — copper identifies intruder APERSONFROMPORLOCK
Drained pan? RUNDOWN
Dramatic work books and magazine OTHELLO
Drugs officer managed to turn up cocaine NARC
During break, do United come back? REDOUND
English boss comes in to cover for troops TESTUDO
Face headless man drinking port EXTERIOR
Clues Answers
Final instalment of Big Issue in addition to Christmas card GLITTER
First clue from Anax? ONEACROSS
Governmental steps taken to improve health CONSTITUTIONAL
Grab a fresh beer instead of one cocktail SEABREEZE
Hotel always gives basic bedding HAY
Inserted joint clue without groundwork left by top setter? HIPREPLACEMENT
It's March 24! Cut short part of the holiday CHRISTMASEVE
Jerry's given a dish from Italy POLENTA
King of the puzzle Arthur ... LEAR
Legitimate request? Not so LICIT
Mark nicks muscle vehicle from station SQUADCAR
Mother's about to admit she's legless SMASHED
Needing short rest, I would put back down RELAID
New house put up for Christmas NOEL
Old torch regularly seen in cap CRESSET
One round — don't miss! BEAT
Opposition party returned after vacation DISCORD
Prophet is — I get it now — embracing one ISAIAH
River taken from lower end DECEASE
Ski resort with tiny bit of snow? Tyrant accepts that WHISTLER
Sounds like a bit of a problem SUM
Strong light waves measurable if uranium's extracted LASERBEAM
The likes of Walpole, Balfour and Macmillan led nation so badly OLDETONIANS
This milestone for a crossword initially turned into a book (2,6,2,4,4) INSEARCHOFLOSTTIME
Topless bird (so it says here!), adding to Italian show MUSICAL
Town right to block secular crime BURGLARY
Virgin filling bank form? (2,4,2,6,4) ASPUREASDRIVENSNOW
Was stalker exposed snatching Bill? SHADOWED
Was tourist's grip around passport etc sure? HOLIDAYED
Writer's account about a frogman heading for the surface? GOREVIDAL