The nine individual unclued lights form three sets of three, each set related to a theme word in a different way. The theme word is hidden in the grid and should be highlighted.

Across

5    Most appropriate page in a quiz (6)
10    I’m praised for moving to retain university committee (10)
12    Queen is taking a line to get tough (6)
13    City that lies between Pakistan and Bulgaria (8)
16    Bug is hanging on the wall (5)
17    In recess, is earth to be put on dead sheep? (7)
25    Bird’s leg bone stripped (3)
26    In wood, cat chewed energy biscuit (7)
28    One top player receiving kiss, no longer a man? (7)
29    Once close to Aneurin (3)
31    Childish language used by Roman swine? (3,5)
34    The best diplomat replaced, losing his head (7)
36    Imply story contains drama (7)
40    A chief detective, one on drugs (4-4)
41    Craving time with Damien (6)
42    Cut right into fish, and dig in safely here (4,6)
44    Viciously one harms a crab (8)

Down

1    Unpleasant atmosphere, picking up something written in a train (6)
2    Person’s amazingly cute rear (8)
3    From the food shops, hot and tasty (6)
4    Fibre, one feeding girl up (5)
6    One first-class pianoforte brought round for singer (4)
7    Thrown out of cabinet room: I rub it in (11)
8    Briefly scrutinise horse on the farm (4)
9    Still not able to arouse emotion (8)
14    Painting after tense struggle (4)
15    Notch up trick at end of deck (4)
16    In van see adult guarding one’s travel permit (7,4)
19    Catch lyre’s last, highest note (4)
22    Extended number appearing in record (4)
23    Cleaned out, established allergy check (4,4)
24    Storing up soft drinks in vaults (7)
25    Point to highest turnover in paper (4)
27    Dreadful upper-class conceit failed to impress (3,2,3)
30    Produce family diamonds (4)
32    To hang around Ohio is within the capacity of Americans (6)
35    Once repulsive Latin swearword (5)
37    Bard’s to augment some lechery (4)
38    Religious adherent has one reeling (4)

Download a printable version here.

A first prize of £30 and two runners-up prizes of £20 for the first correct solutions opened on  27 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 2591, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery. The dictionary prize is not available at present.