No 14512, Monday 16 Jun 2025, Dr. X

Solution to 25A 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 solve, if not solved by 1 PM.

ACROSS

1 & 26 What organist wanting to play loudly will do to make every effort (4,3,3,3,5) PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS [DD]

8   Mushroom caps in stack on island (5) PILEI {PILE}{I}

9   Planning stylish finale to entertain theatregoers at premiere (9) INTENDING {IN}{Th...s}{ENDING}

11 Dear wife enthralled by knocking back pegs, getting a little raunchy in excitement (10) SWEETHEART {TEE{W}S<=}{HEA{R}T}

12 Ostracise star consuming heroin (4) SHUN {S{H}UN}

14 Trainees played tennis after taking a little rest (7) INTERNS {INTE{Rest}NS*}

16 Fish in quiz about zodiac sign (7) TELEOST {TE{LEO}ST}

17 Visit bumbling stooge on base (2,2,3) GO TO SEE {STOOGE}*{E}

19 Mysterious scream by model in film (7) CRYPTIC {CRY}{P{T}IC}

21 Bird crushed by rickshaw, killed (4) HAWK [T]

22 Nuts start a riot in Italian eateries (10) TRATTORIAS*

25 Most parched, needs a little nightcap - shaken, not stirred (9) T?R?I?E?T (Addendum - TORRIDEST - {nOT+STIRRED}* - See comments)

26 See 1

27 Determination of ace cracking internet scam (13) ASCERTAINMENT {A}{INTERNET+SCAM}*

DOWN

2   Endlessly intoxicated guest tottering around is most disgusting (7) UGLIEST {UG{LIt}EST*}

3   Buried soldier at ground close to outpost (4,2,4) LAID TO REST {SOLDIER+AT}*{o...sT}

4   Odour in estuary containing liquid waste (5) URINE [T]

5   Dilapidated tract in a cold polar region (9) ANTARCTIC {TRACT+IN+A+C}*

6   Give large tip (4) LEND {L}{END}

7   Euphoric after consuming ecstasy, husband cavorts heartily! Ah, well (5-2) HEIGH-HO {H{E}IGH}{H}{cavOrts}

8   Gasps in stadium at inauguration, excited by sizzling tennis stroke (7,4) PASSING SHOT {GASPS+IN+St...m}{HOT}

10 Experts in heredity, say, backing extraordinary scientist (11) GENETICISTS {EG<=}{SCIENTISTS}

13 Pal dancing with my spouse endlessly! Somehow, feign ignorance (4,6) PLAY POSSUM {PAL*}{MY+SPOUSe}*

15 Most elegant nurses start to explain gynaecological procedure (5,4) SMEAR TEST {SM{Ex...n}ARTEST}

18 Revolting drunkard having fight with daughter is concerning (7) TOWARDS {SOT<=} over {WAR}{D}

20 Unsure about most costly cocked hat (7) TRICORN {T{RICh}ORN}

23 Three tenors entertaining upper-class society at centre with all performing together (5) TUTTI {T}{U}{T}{T}{socIety}

24 Enjoy match (4) LIKE [DD]

Reference List

Island = I, Stylish = IN, Wife = W, Heroin = H, Base = E, Model = T, Ace = A, Cold = C, Large = L, Ecstasy = E, Husband = H, Daughter = D,  Tenor = T, Upper-class = U