No 11621, Wednesday 10 Feb 2016, Exa

ACROSS
5   Not turning into champion immediately (2,4) AT ONCE {A{T ON<=}CE}
7   University students carry gloves to where fights are held (8) BULLRING {U}{LL} in {BRING}
9   Live around gold mine (4) BORE {B{OR}E}
10 Great engineer mentored us (10) TREMENDOUS*
11 Withdrawing books after agreement's stamped (12) ESTRANGEMENT {AGREEMENT'S}*{NT}
13 Jewel associated with the French and Parish official (6) BEADLE {BEAD}{LE}
15 Passionate, fanatical friend won't stop chasing love (2,4) ON FIRE {FRIend} after {O} 'E' from ? (Addendum - {FRIENd*} after {O} - See comments)
18 Needless to say, endless working leads to depression (12) DESOLATENESS {NEEDLESS+TO+SAy}*}
21 Firm shrewdly denied possession of title (10) DETERMINED {TERM} in {DENIED}*
22 Corner a king at close quarters (4) NEAR {NE}{A}{R}
23 Couple hired band (8) BRACELET {BRACE}{LET}
24 Any use appearing to be worried? (6) UNEASY*

DOWN
1   Attracted close to a bright colour on taking drug (8) ENDEARED {END}{E}{A}{RED}
2   In inner room consume what's whipped (6) BEATEN {EAT} in {BEN}
3   Get a role to play for close friend (5,3)  ALTER EGO*
4   Catholic tried to spread belief (6) CREDIT {C}{TRIED*}
6   Overly large woman had implements stored here (8) TOOLSHED {TOO}{L}{SHE'D}
7   Outspoken offspring mixed (6) BREWED (~brood)
8   Word is out that sister is touring (4) NOUN {N{O}UN}
12 Crime has old man getting into terrible stress (8) TRESPASS {PA} in {STRESS}*
14 Chorus answer for 5 Ac. (8) ENSEMBLE [DD]
16 Fines can be collected to generate funds (8) FINANCES*
17 A high mountain's climbed to gain a body (6) PLANET {PLA<=}{NET}
18 Dame goes round river to get wet (6) DRENCH {D{R}ENCH}
19 Bottom of butt I'd certainly clean (4,2)  TIDY UP {butT}{I'D}{Y UP}
20 Diamonds are ridiculously expensive (4) DEAR {D}{ARE*}