No 14883, Thursday 27 Aug 2026, Dr. X

Solution to 5A 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   Relaxes in bed after having sex with primarily sexy blonde (4,4) SITS BACK {S{IT}{Sexy}{Bl...e}ACK}

5   Outspoken, dynamic and idealistic hosts (6) ?A?D?D ()

10 Misdeed by champion in posh hotel around Taiwanese city (7) HSINCHU {SIN}{CH} in {U}{H}<=

11 Torments British university lecturer with untruths (7) BULLIES {B}{U}{L}{LIES}

12 See 9 Down

13 Ride at wet ground in ebbing and flowing liquid (9) TIDEWATER*

14 Infringement by merchant, one craftily smuggling cocaine (12) ENCROACHMENT {MERCHANT+ONE}* over {C}

18 Unexpected upset! Side in state of shock (12) STUPEFACTION {UPSET}*{FACTION}

21 Asian pianist artfully entertaining a thousand (9) PAKISTANI {P{A}{K}ISTANI*

23 Old British nobleman close to Jeffrey (5) EARLY {EARL}{j...eY}

24 One with most lavish houses, beginning to become abrasive (7) ACERBIC {ACE}{RICh} over {Be...e}

25 Frivolous sportsman at centre, one crushed by opponent (7) TRIVIAL {s..rTs..n}{RIV{I}AL}

26 A little toddler and semiaquatic mammal in reel (6) TOTTER {To...r}{OTTER}

27 Extremely remarkable model dating big star (3,5) RED GIANT {Re...lE}{DATING*}

DOWN

1   Seem worried about China's ploy (6) SCHEME {S{CH}EME*}

2   Make a mistake in revolting place, cuddling disreputable person (4,2) TRIP UP {PUT<=} over {RIP}

3   Drunken female reveller in taxi, turning to sing and cheer heartily (9) BACCHANTE {CAB<=}{CHANT}{chEer}

4   Neutralise Cuban cartel, one going berserk (14) COUNTERBALANCE*

6   Tolerate American leader, primarily mean (5) ALLOW {A}{Le...r}{LOW}

7   I trained vigorously to become more trim (8) DAINTIER*

8   Princess on small Greek island is unattached (8) DISCRETE {DI}{S}{CRETE}

9   Strong feeling of disgust caused by poor dental hygiene? (1,3,5,2,3,5) (Continued in 12 Across) A BAD TASTE IN THE MOUTH [C&DD]

15 Hanging around oafishly at opening, eating greedily (9) HOOVERING {HO{Oa...y}VERING}

16 Injured Pathan's holding long walking stick made from a sapling (3-5) ASH-PLANT {PATHANS}* over {L}

17 Most cool and enjoyable, flying kites (8) FUNKIEST {FUN}{KITES*}

19 Iran slyly beginning to construct atomic plant (6) ARNICA {IRAN}*{Co...t}{At...c}

20 Slippery person crosses yard, starts to escape through small hole (6) EYELET {E{Y}EL}{Es...s}{Th...h}

22 Transaction involving billions for expensive fur (5) SABLE {SA{B}LE}

Reference List

Sex = IT, Champion = CH, Posh = U, Hotel = H, British = B, University = U, Lecturer = L, Cocaine = C, Thousand = K, China = CH, Small = S, Long = L, Yard = Y, Billions = B