Cryptic crossword No 3,096
Wed 4 Feb 2026, set byFez
Special Instructions: There *is* a ridiculously obscure theme – but no thematic knowledge required for solving, so you don't have to be afraid ...
Across
- Different men's clothing article (5)
- Beast from Africa, a huge gorilla, filmed on safari at last (7)
- I'm no intellectual – I love dipping into One Day and Starter for Ten (5)
- Bottom of river mucky ... removing coat, plunge right in! (6)
- More than one lied, perhaps, about government's issue (5)
- Somehow force user to run Internet Explorer? (6)
- One smuggling diamonds for money, £500 (6)
- Beginning to scribble a note, pressing with pen? (4)
- See 5d
- See 5d
- American's after second helpings of fab Sunday joint, served in its own gravy (2,3)
- Book fair's abandoned, ultimately, by celebrated British novelist (4)
- Carry On Cleo, vacuous and extremely puerile (4)
- Old safety device is helpful (2,3)
- Weak-willed type is giving up independence to go back on heroin (5)
- Measure of distance to sun (3)
- Visitor about to go in the Louvre (6)
- Lad from South Norwood originally (3)
Down
- He's given tips to young journalist on Evening Standard (3,3)
- Jade's new record essentially underperforming, entering hit parade at no. 6 (8)
- Bloke almost 50 being taken for 34 maybe (3)
- Composer's boring dodgy retro music? (7)
- Maybe Denny's service assistant nonchalantly disregards you at first (5)
- Rising star for Liverpool needing hospital, unfortunately (4)
- Reportedly cut investment (5)
- Parched, drinking cloudy bitter (5)
- Restraining large dog that's usually on a lead (4)
- Enjoys Hot Wings occasionally (4)
- Deep sea fish (4)
- Is able to record in advance (3)
- Sporting giant from Peking turned up (4)
- Corrupt English politician: "Nothing is working!" (8)
- Northern Irish settler finally thrown in cell (6)
- Told to congregate inside (4)
- Raw avocado? (5)
- Fine end to Friday after bar doesn't close (5)
- Australian needs to play with fire, others take a cautious approach (3,2,3,4,4)
- Harsh as Scottish team left out (7)
Fez has made 1 change since publishing this crossword.
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