No 14132, Tuesday 26 Mar 2024, Dr. X

Solution to 21A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered only by a non-regular / novice commenter, with proper annotation. Those who have answered earlier in the week, please give others a chance.

Open for anyone to answer, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1   Alarm about atmosphere around earth in experiment (5,3,5) TRIAL AND ERROR {T{AIR<=}{LAND}ERROR}

8   Beer after drinking old wine (5) PINOT {PIN{O}T}

9   Quashing case for abortion, zealot suppresses liberal fellows (9) ANNULMENT {Ab...oN}{NU{L}{MEN}T}

11 Film star acting sincere to cheat with lady (6,4) SCREEN IDOL {SINCERE*}{DO}{L}

12 Enthralled by revolutionary docudrama on African animal (4) ANOA [T<=]

14 Score century, returning with trophy to win hearts (5,2) NOTCH UP {TON<=}{C{H}UP}

16 Affected by endless pain on island in Japanese city (7) HITACHI {HIT}{ACHe}{I}

17 Model's lively after consuming extremely fine cocaine (7) PERFECT {PER{FinE}{C}T}

19 Escort slyly steals posh type of diamond (4-3) ROSE-CUT {ESCORT}* over {U}

21 Superstars wanting cash at inauguration - they're never free of charge (4) I?N? (Addendum - IONS IcONS - See comments)

22 Recruits dedicated actors who do this? (10) CONSCRIPTS {CON SCRIPTS}

25 Pierce tin can wrongly, overwhelmed by ale perhaps (9) LANCINATE {TIN+CAN} in {ALE}*

26 Weepy and tired? Time for whiskey (5) TEARY (+t-w)TEARY

27 Self-examination in club - hourglass figure finally developed (4-9) SOUL-SEARCHING {IN+C+HOURGLASS+f...rE}*

DOWN

2   Part of tuber in grotesque disease of potatoes (4,3) RING ROT [T]

3   Athlete recklessly cuddles model while driving (2,3,5) AT THE WHEEL {ATHLETE}* over {HEW} 

4   Program at Italy featuring violin made by Italian family (5) AMATI [T]

5   She essentially mentored, trained Cub Scouts (3,6) DEN MOTHER {sHe+MENTORED}* Semi&lit

6   Not many shrimplike creatures in stream (4) RILL kRILL

7   Abandoned cocaine found in the sea (7) OCEANIC*

8   Friend admits, isn't up to changes occurring after marriage (11) POSTNUPTIAL {PAL} over {ISNT+UP+TO}* 

10 Dish is hot, tasty - essentially mouthwatering, in other words (4,2,2,3) THAT IS TO SAY {IS+HOT+TASTY+m...wAt...g}*

13 Continuously throw up after a bite - no energy (2,1,7) AT A STRETCH {RETCH}<=>{A}{TASTe}

15 Ready to rant about case of open favouritism (9) PATRONAGE {PAT}{R{OpeN}AGE}

18 Encountered criminal on train (3,4) RAN INTO*

20 Officer's ready to probe murderer (7) CAPTAIN {C{APT}AIN}

23 Promise wife to cut salt, get fitter finally (5) SWEAR {S{W}EA}{f...eR}

24 Fell from height, bedridden (4) HILL {H}{ILL}

Reference List

Old = O, Liberal = L, Cheat = DO, LAdy = L, Hearts = H, Island = I, Cocaine = C, Posh = U, Time = T, Whiskey = W, Club = C, Many = K, Energy = E, Wife = W, Height = H