No 14762, Wednesday 08 Apr 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 20D 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   Pen pal is upset about American leader's bluntness (5,8) PLAIN SPEAKING {PEN+PAL+IS}* over {A} and {KING}

8   Calls topless escorts (5) RINGS bRINGS

9   Miss Japan picked up by champion in American club (9) BLACKJACK {LACK}{J} in {BACK}

11 Old-fashioned person, one giving spinal anaesthesia? (4,6) BACK NUMBER [C&DD]

12 Expert checking teen's latest skin condition (4) ACNE {AC{teeN}E}

14 Unknown tramp in base beginning to eat mushroom (7) EXPLODE {X}{PLOD} in {E}{Eat}

16 Emblem over sides of simple historical torch (7) CRESSET {CRES{Si..lE}T}

17 Write about old jerk showing favouritism (7) NEPOTIC {PEN<=}{O}{TIC}

19 Holy place in Muscat renovated around end of Ramadan (7) SANCTUM {MUSCAT}* over {r...aN} 

21 Mongrel beginning to bite, getting muzzle (4) CURB {CUR}{Bite}

22 Guests on island primarily getting loose motion (10) SUGGESTION {GUESTS+ON+I+Ge...g}*

25 Researcher analysed onset of cancer in testis (9) SCIENTIST {Ca...r+IN+TESTIS}*

26 American associate touring most prosperous city in Chile (5) ARICA {A}{A} over {RICh}

27 Raged at elderly doc outside hospital in a callous manner (4-9) COLD-HEARTEDLY {AT+ELDERLY+DOC}* over {H}

DOWN

2   Fancy place has new, special camera accessory (4,3) LENS CAP {PLACE}* over {N}S}

3   Complete details of a nudist streaking at opening on ground (3,3,4) INS AND OUTS {A+NUDIST+St...g+ON}*

4   Oily secretion from small whitehead essentially on butt (5) SEBUM {S}{w..tEh..d}{BUM}

5   Disappears from scene, vigorously cutting guard in retreat (9) EVANESCES {SCENE}* in {SAVE<=}

6   Xhaka, Kane welcoming former Brazilian footballer (4) KAKA [T]

7   Suggestions by star about tackling bad acne (7) NUANCES {SUN<=} over {ACNE*}

8   Turns head to stare as masseur kisses amorously (11) RUBBERNECKS {RUBBER}{NECKS}

10 Urge to steal opal, take money in jars (11) KLEPTOMANIA {OPAL+TAKE+M+IN}*

13 Serves gin cocktail, hosting a preview of art exhibition (10) VERNISSAGE {SERVES+GIN}* over {A}

15 Old cryptic clue is very elegant (9) EXCLUSIVE {EX}{CLUE+IS+V}*

18 Colonnade in dock essentially built by company (7) PORTICO {PORT}{buIlt}{CO}

20 Minor in contest, having endless energy (7) T?I?I?L (Addendum - TRIVIAL {TRI{VIm}AL} - see comments)

23 Reptile in bog at Oregon (5) GATOR [T]

24 Set up banquet in American city (4) ENID <=

Reference List

American = A, Japan = J, Unknown = X, Base = E, Old = O, Jerk = TIC, Island = I, Associate = A, Hospital = H, New = N, Special = S, Money = M