All the unclued lights can be followed by the same word. Elsewhere, ignore three accents.

Across

12    Positive Belgian forward cutting in has chances (10)
13    Nabs informer admitting pressure (6)
18    Memorial to fish-keeper ignores a question about Frank? (9)
19    Flap about a kid whose name maybe on TV? (9)
20    This monster turns 22, nearly (4)
21    Blade that’s regularly perplexed (4)
27    In home, navy lamps may be so called (6)
30    Boring experience providing inspiration for smoker (4)
32    Ready reckoning when many are watching (5,4)
34    Ordinary one I help to get drunk? (9)
39    Meet the surge (6)
40    Tragically he has the last word in favour of metal clothing (10)
41    Cycling path demonstrates flair (4)
42    Neat officers losing uniform got Russia destroyed (8)

Down

1    I lay claim to carrying main instrument (8)
2    Dawn’s excitement changing coat (from iron to rock) (6)
3    Filthy one abandoning where pig lives? (5)
4    Produce flight to east London? (6,3,5)
5    Wife leaves lecturer instructing the country’s education (7)
6    Breath freshener that hasn’t taken over tea dance (8)
9    Occiputs and sterna, but not entrails? (4)
10    Wild boar or other animal may be repelled by this (3,3)
11    Flower planted by gardener in error (6)
17    Kick in the derriere ultimately so delivered? (4)
22    Disease her late Majesty contracted (5)
23    Snake stops and surfaces (8)
25    Site of famous Kasbah disheartened certain guides (4)
26    Fry party on board ship (8)
28    Firing gun finally for the heart in murder (7)
31    Have a meal, surprisingly cheerful without children (6)
33    Stone workers having wages cut (6)
35    Some people ate tuck (5)
36    King of France advanced (4)

A first prize of £30 and two runners-up prizes of £20 for the first correct solutions opened on 6 February. 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 2588, 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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