No 14784, Monday 04 May 2026, Incognito

Solution to 24D 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   Without being bidden, captured male removed face covering (8) UNMASKED {UNASKED} over {M}

5   Cheops managed for long periods (6) EPOCHS*

10 Confused vets with head of terrier in small screen (2,3) TV SET {VETS}*{Te...r}

11 Poem covering composition of Reagan's drink (9) ORANGEADE {O{REAGAN*}DE}

12 Repeated broadcasts from insurer unsavoury (6) RERUNS [T]

13 Wrongly say, "Putts and remains in the same place" (5,3) STAYS PUT*

15 Implements used to make stool (5) TOOLS* Semi&lit

17 Leave the decision to Penny, for example (4,1,4) TOSS A COIN [CD]

19 Excited deer circled around small water body and gave a reaction (9) RESPONDED {RE{S}{POND}ED*}

20 Shake firkin to some extent and drink (5) KEFIR [T]

21 Cone jet is modified to contain current discharge (8) EJECTION* {CONE+JET} over {I}

23 Paths in space created by bistro reconstruction (6) ORBITS*

27 Will, perhaps, try American ward (9) TESTAMENT {TEST}{AM}{ENT}

28 Extraterrestrial Neil Armstrong initially sent back (5) ALIEN {NEIL}{Ar...g}<=

29 Upshot from Ulster revolution (6) RESULT*

30 Professionals who give oral exams (8) DENTISTS [CD]

DOWN

1   Say, "Abject" (5) UTTER [DD]

2   Sum up, "Hot chambers for fungi" (9) MUSHROOMS {SUM<=}{H}{ROOMS}

3   Soft material from South Africa placed in front of container (5) SATIN {SA}{TIN}

4   Musk-melons hiding his name? (4) ELON [HIPS]

6   Kids love this swine accepting money (5,4) PIGGY BANK [CD]

7   Charlie gets light fixture (5) CLAMP {C}{LAMP}

8   For example, honey, ewes enter haphazardly (9) SWEETENER*

9   Whispered remark after group of actors get dropped (4,5) CAST ASIDE {ASIDE}<=>{CAST}

14 Card game Kurd poets played (4,5) STUD POKER*

15 Persecutor and soldiers trapped between a couple of mountains (9) TORMENTOR {TOR}{MEN}{TOR}

16 Deficit from brief decline (9) SHORTFALL {SHORT}{FALL}

18 Restricted film is oft horrible (3-6) OFF-LIMITS*

22 Makes it easy when seaplanes fly without plan (5) EASES SEAplanES*

24 Reprimand star consuming egg at sea (5) R?A?T ()

25 Drowns ship carrying writing material (5) SINKS {S{INK}S}

26 Eye problem from dusty environment (4) STYE [T]

Reference List

Male = M, Small = S, Current = I, American = AM, Hot = H, Charlie = C, Ship = SS