The eight six-letter unclued lights half-overlap each other and so yield a complete word chain beginning with any one of them.

        Across

   1    Complex U-turn before end of lane. Wrong! (6)

   7    That woman’s returning remains of make-over (6)

11    Boss has to grovel for LA brawn (4,6)

13    Old manuscript containing a series of tests (5)

14    Aptitude of fellow at home (5)

15    Ancestor heard refrain (7)

17    Facing the facts about Moeen’s millions (7)

19    Narrow road in two states (4)

24    Generally accepted that turn in wet is wrong (9)

25    Hymn from Phillips, almost (5)

26    Get rid of European visitor — that’s not universally acceptable (5)

28    Black gardening tools and another component on a bike (5,4)

30    Smallest four out of five non-Communist countries (6)

33    Fish and chips primarily the focal point (4)

39    Navy lacking force with 33’s relative in waters moving with the wind (3,4)

40    Met Dons playing final (7)

41    Award first discussed during lunch (5)

42    Patterson drops note about small fish (5)

43    Repaired Steve’s limo without reason (10)

45    Trim Google browser (6)

         Down

   2    Around second half of year, put up rents (5)

   3    This walker runs with another (7)

   4    Ordered non-zero calorie confection (6)

   5    Lacking drink (5)

   6    Sign of life in Aidensfield series (9)

   7    Free to exchange vouchers (6)

   8    Catch-22 author’s old coins (7)

   9    Range that’s popular once more (5)

12    Taints The French Bear nightclub, first (10)

16    Awfully old pale green rind (6,4)

20    The very worst place for theatre bands? (4)

21    Tactical distribution of non-e cigarettes (9)

23    Top copy that’s marked wrong (4)

27    Posted a letter to former archbishop (7)

29    Direction to holiday-maker to run for it (7)

31    To go out together, as of now (2,4)

34    Courage beer here! (6)

35    Doctor having the same upset with leading consultant (5)

37    Pull out of Wyche Avenue (5)

38    Body to the right, thus (5)

Download a printable version here.

A first prize of £30 and two runners-up prizes of £20 for the first correct solutions opened on  8 January. 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 2634, The Spectator, 22 Old Queen Street, London SW1H 9HP. Please allow six weeks for prize delivery.

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