The 12 unclued lights (one of two words) are somehow paired and one solution in each pair is of a kind with the five others.

 

Across

12 Prizes at dance which Desperate Dan patronises? (7, hyphened)

14 Fancy notepaper? (5)

15 Fish and cheese sauce, not new (5)

16 Stay out of bed with Christmas singer at university (6, two words)

17 Top chess player in compound (6)

24 With various actors, Ginger shared the lead (9)

29 Island garden with a cuckoo (7)

32 Appreciation from US actor? (6)

33 Secretary general of UN that flourished (6, two components)

35 Surpass and exit? (5)

36 Stop will be in France before one (5)

37 Thwarting swordsmanship? (7)

39 Keen to win fluctuating set (7)

40 Poor Eeyore’s that’s not pleasant to see (7)

 

Down

2 One of green fingers, perhaps, and what he’ll do in bed (5)

3 Frenchman’s tooth with sign of a minor accident (4)

4 Lasting result when blue an’ red blend (9)

5 Money that is going to plan (6)

7 Socialist fellow inside… on this? (6)

8 Petty US role for Eve’s character (10)

9 Old monastic chambers relatives spoke of (8)

10 Village in the Stour valley in a permanently negative setting? (7)

18 Wrong about onerous inauguration (10, hyphened)

20 Walking on rocky gradient (8)

23 Who’ll produce moving art in a mo? (8)

25 Salve. Mention spreading half ot it (8)

26 Some happen to describe radio valve (7)

27 Dressage music? (7)

28 Conspirator, not posh, but cordial (6)

29 One of three in a boat as pilot (6)

31 That’s a relief! (5)

34 Initially hung up salted, smoked fish (4)

 

A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 5 July. There are two runners-up prizes of £20. Please scan or photograph entries and email them (including the crossword number in the subject field) to crosswords@spectator.co.uk – the dictionary prize is not available. We will accept postal entries again at some point. Apologies that there may be a delay in sending out prizes at present.

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