The Sunday Crossword No 2980, Sunday 28 Jan 2018

ACROSS
1   Idyll chap's ruined? Easy thing to do (6,4) CHILDS PLAY*
6   Measure necessary to restrain cheat (4) INCH [T]
9   Against going into fabrications in biographies (5) LIVES {LI{V}ES}
10 Casual fling, not at home (9) THROWAWAY {THROW}{AWAY}
12 Sovereign ahead in procession (7) MONARCH {M{ON}ARCH}
13 Rush around place in bout of extravagance (7) SPLURGE {S{PL}URGE}
14 Supreme moment, mood filled with drama (6,2,4) SECOND TO NONE {SECOND} {TO{NO}NE}
18 Indication of work by Mozart, tweak in aria designed for soprano (4,2,6) KIRI TE KANAWA {K}{TWEAK+IN+ARIA}* Thanks to Google

21 What's worn by supporter from east following team in decline? (7) ROSETTE {RO{SET}T}{E}
23 Scottish island for example in retirement plan (7) ARRANGE {ARRAN}{EG<=}
24 Prompt one conclusion from firm referee (9) IMMEDIATE {1}{firM}{MEDIATE}
25 Stage sadly with no odd characters allowed (5) LEGAL {LEG}{sAdLy}
26 Cover up skin (4) HIDE [DD]
27 Mad Hatter, cast with difficulty (2,1,7) AT A STRETCH*

DOWN
1   Pass over mass in French article in section of newspaper (6) COLUMN {COL}{U{M}N}
2   Design tips from Italian outlet (6) INVENT {It...aN}{VENT}
3   Old-fashioned clothes in rite so badly muddled (13) DISORIENTATED  {IN+RITE+SO}* in {DATED}
4   Plot calling for incongruous combination (9) PATCHWORK {PATCH}{WORK}
5   Large amount in almanac researched (5) ACRES [T]
7   Rising bishop we name with capacity to be agent of change (3,5) NEW BROOM {B}{WE}{N}<={ROOM}
8   Be hesitant about unknown iron allergy (3,5) HAY FEVER {HA{Y}{FE}VER}
11 Bat above wide barrel mistaken for bird (6,7) WILLOW WARBLER {WILLOW} {W}{BARREL*}

15 Garment good over time climbing in hills (9) DUNGAREES {DUN{G}{ERA<=}ES}
16 Read quickly about Romeo and his broken engagement (8) SKIRMISH {SKI{R}M}{HIS*}
17 Taken for granted, quietly started again (8) PRESUMED {P}{RESUMED}
19 On audio, dark period piece (6) KNIGHT (~night)
20 Lake in moorland in good condition (6) HEALTH {HEA{L}TH}
22 Praise lieutenant supporting state without borders (5) EXALT {tEXAs}{LT}

GRID