The unclued lights form five pairs, as suggested by the title.
Across
6 Fashion blunted by useless needle (6)
10 Sister in action in a moving church feast (12)
13 Lily and Len backing boss (7)
16 Youth turns to another who’s idle (4)
17 Scarper from unstable ice-sheet (6,2)
21 Underclothes hang loosely? Twaddle (8)
23 Push in suggestion commonly vulgar (7)
25 Caledonian couple unwrapping software (3)
26 Being philosophical, making three points (3)
29 Goddess briefly so pink (8)
34 United to play this piece? (8)
36 Asparagus and special fruit (6)
38 Love to afford fancy sort of vehicle (3-4)
39 Sailor embraces my curves (5)
40 Rector in unlit palace possibly unworthy of bishop (12)
41 Mount Athos ignoring Thomas’s direct speaking (6)
42 Cheap writer wearing orangey-brown (8)
Down
1 Help companion to visit gentle girl (4-5)
2 Pillbox of wrought iron (4)
3 In Paisley, pamper one sweeter all round (6)
4 Reminders fence regularly covers weeds (6)
5 Made a lot of messes I slide on (8)
6 Small drop of water in fat (7)
8 In country club seek good books, a number without antecedents (10)
12 Cereal, part of it for bird (8)
15 Great reserves of wisdom? Adept has no answers (6)
18 Restraint inhibiting one punch-up (10)
19 Political supporter left impression through effectiveness (8)
20 Scouts edited the Guardian (6)
22 Provoking distress of mine very greatly, Norm being away (9)
24 Fit to publish? Can be brought to court (8)
31 Turning over heart of fire, I got some smoke (6)
32 Drug, at first low dose, offered patients awakening (1-4)
33 Old foot-soldier trims edible part of nut (5)
Download a printable version here.
A first prize of £30 for the first correct solution opened on 24 October. 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,
or post to: Crossword 2576, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery. The dictionary prize is not available at present.
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