The unclued lights (one of two words) may be paired, one past and one present.

        Across

   1    USA dealt out compliments (8)

11    It’s still a healthy drink in spring! (7,5)

14    Go on to take legal action (7)

18    Parallel grooves are first adjusted (6)

23    Irritable, like our cats and dogs? (7)

24    Title father backs for Tarzan (3-3)

25    Salmon, by the way, for fellow presenter (2-4)

27    Example of first person in record book (7)

29    University officials South African cricketer Mike’s suggested (8)

33    Continuous story broadcast back in the Home Counties and London, initially (6)

35    Resistance units – I see thousands (4)

37    Seeking forgiveness around Goat Inn (7)

38    Cox for Hereford, perhaps? (5)

39    Endurance visiting Tyrone? (7,5)

40    Some wide variety in Roman Chester (4)

41    Ring for ages? (8)

         Down

   1    In the centre of a poorly lit uphill street (6)

   3    Intro containing Pb (4-2)

   4    Scottish confection’s from iPads and pills (7)

   5    Poor hirelings at end of lane in Moray once (10)

   6    Disorganised patriarch took Catholic out to area of Alexander the Great’s empire (7)

   7    A polemicist reviewed nuclear reactors (6,5)

   8    Put down for month on railway (5)

   9    Degas and Miro adapted Chinese characters (9)

10    Ure’s little flies (6)

15    Authoritative soldier’s in khaki, say (11)

19    Popular clerical garb that’s placed in a bank (10)

20    Don’t forget note on pay increase (8)

21    Cloth from pilot at pottery centre (9)

26    Cruise accepts £25 for Champagne, say (7)

28    Spend time in alley (7)

29    Some philanthropic, ardent starship commander (6)

30    Old tracks to college for Frenchman (6)

31    Sudden excitement from light snowfall (6)

Download a printable version here.

A first prize of £30 and two runners-up prizes of £20 for the first correct solutions opened on 17 April. 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 2598, 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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