No 14678, Tuesday 30 Dec 2025, Dr. X

Solution to 26A has been deliberately left unsolved and is to be answered 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 & 23 What chick will do to overcome shyness (4,3,2,4,5) COME OUT OF ONES SHELL [C&DD]

8   Old Mexican's worried, smuggling unknown drug (5) AZTEC {A{Z}TE}{C}

9   European's murder on street right outside entrance to discotheque (9) ICELANDER {ICE}{LAN{Di...e}E}{R}

11 Promiscuous prince and single girl in old penthouse close to lake (10) PROFLIGATE {PR}{O}{FL{1}{G}AT}{lakE}

12 Part of Far East region (4) AREA [T]

14 Rather badly stained (7) INSTEAD*

16 Entrap rogue ensnaring women in European city (7) ANTWERP {ANT{W}ERP*}

17 Managed to break reactionary party's dreams (7) TRANCES {RAN} in {SECT<=}

19 Rebellious guy, one with endless prejudice in African country (7) NAMIBIA {MAN<=}{1}{BIAs}

21 Observes escort in retreat, going around yard (4) EYES {SE{Y}E<=}

22 Stanzas about a seedy French commune (10) VERSAILLES {VERS{A}{ILL}ES}

25 Teens excited about new show in American state (9) TENNESSEE {TE{N}NES*}{SEE}

26 Snap of farm alongside lake (5) G?O?L ()

27 Slick red coat, pants - special attire for semi-formal wear (8,5) COCKTAIL DRESS {SLICK+RED+COAT}*{S}

DOWN

2   Ousted unexpectedly after leader of opposition excels (7) OUTDOES {OUSTED}*<=>{Op...n}

3   Quality of old prison wall, not fine (10) EXCELLENCE {EX}{CELL}{fENCE}

4   Exploiting posh leader of group concealing immorality (5) USING {U}{SIN}{Gr..p}

5   Exercise excessively in public followed by shower (9) OVERTRAIN {OVERT}{RAIN}

6   Italian going topless in Middle Eastern country (4) OMAN rOMAN

7   Back and butt, terribly sore (7) ENDORSE {END}{SORE*}

8   Starts to apply perfume, powder and gel for date (11) APPOINTMENT {Ap..y}{Pe...e}{Po...r}{OINTMENT}

10 Reassessment of paper with liars suspiciously securing first-class (11) REAPPRAISAL {PAPER+LIARS}* over {A}

13 Drive to pick up a little more liquor and good sweetmeat (4,6) STEM GINGER {STE{More}{GIN}{G}ER}

15 Awful male ignored dismay about a little spurious spirit giving indigestion (9) DYSPEPSIA {DISmAY}* Over {Sp...s}{PEP}

18 Consumed fresh tea in pot after removing lid (3,4) ATE INTO {TEA+IN+pOT}*

20 Crooks stifling the Spanish lady's screams (7) BELLOWS {B{EL}{L}OWS}

23 See 1 Across

24 Caress back in work centre (4) NECK [T<=]

Reference List

Unknown = Z, Drug = C(ocaine), Right = R, Prince = PR, Old = O, Women = W, Yard = Y, New = N, Special = S, Old = EX, Fine = F, Posh = U, Good = G, Male = M, The in Spanish = EL, Lady = L