No 14821, Tuesday 16 Jun 20266, Dr. X

Solution to 24 A 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   Fail to impress female? Totally overweight after gaining pounds (4,4) FALL FLAT {F}{ALL}{F{L}AT}

5   Save share certificate to receive money (6) SCRIMP {SCRI{M}P}

10 Resume painting after break (7) RESTART {ART}<=>{REST}

11 Special talent of performer behind revolutionary special effects (1,6) X FACTOR {ACTOR}<=>{FX} rev

12 Personnel in academy checking nuclear physics device (5) LINAC [T]

13 Consuming drink, sailor played cards (9) ORIGINALS {ORI{GIN}ALS*}

14 Position providing a clear view of singer at ground entertaining team (8,4) RINGSIDE SEAT {SINGER+AT}* over {SIDE} Semi&lit

18 Most innocent groups broken by swindler primarily getting control of finances (5,7) PURSE STRINGS {PUR{Sw...r}EST}{RINGS}

21 One at the helm of small steamer moving close to lagoon (9) STEERSMAN {S}{STEAMER*}{l...oN}

23 Old lady having constant fatigue, finally better (5) EXCEL {EX}{C}{f...uE}{L}

24 Popular detective inspector penning book about foremost of criminals (7) D?M?T?C ()

25 Tell about liaison with model giving satisfaction (7) SATIETY {SA{TIE}{T}Y}

26 Criminal cut fellow's part of outer ear (6) CONCHA {CON}{CHAp}

27 Bind together granite rocks containing sulphur (8) ASTRINGE {A{S}TRINGE*}

DOWN

1   In spite of slump, acquires gold (3,3) FOR ALL {F{OR}ALL}

2   Missing error in journal (6) LOSING {LO{SIN}G}

3   Husband lives in European country? Right (9) FRANCHISE {FRANC{H}{IS}E}

4   Ability to tolerate unpleasant things is a result of doing sit-ups? (1,6,7) A STRONG STOMACH [DD]

6   Raccoon-like animal in bed, biting a kid at centre (5) COATI {CO{A}T}{kId}

7   Endlessly nattering about private communications system (8) INTRANET NATTERINg*

8   Hanger-on in usual spot, drinking alcohol at premiere (8) PARASITE {PAR}{Al...l}{SITE}

9   Show-offs, both in sixties, romping around island (14) EXHIBITIONISTS {BOTH IN SIXTIES} over {I}

15 One seen in kitchen, say, above good British diner (9) EGG BEATER {EGG}{G}{B}{EATER}

16 Picaresque novel is copied (8) EPISODIC*

17 American economist fired reckless fellow (8) FRIEDMAN {FIRED*}{MAN}

19 Observed stealing crown in disguise (6) SCREEN {S{CR}EEN}

20 Twisted ankle, crossing ultimately slippery compound (6) ALKYNE {ALK{s...rY}NE*}

22 Mechanical device stolen by robber at chalet (5) RATCH [T]

Reference List

Female = F, Pounds = L, Money = M, Special effects = FX, Small = S, Old = EX, Lady = L, Constant = C, Model = T, Husband = H, Island = I, Good = G, British = B, Crown = CR