NEIL SEDAKA (anagram of LEEK/NAIADS 23A/7D), who was a fine COMPOSER (1A), SINGER (4A) and PIANIST (36A), died on 27th February 2026. Two of his best-known works, ‘Breaking Up Is Hard To Do’ and ‘Stupid Cupid’, are cryptically suggested by DHOOTIS (39A), an anagram of IS H (sym) TO DO, and AMOUR FOU (21D/17D).

First prize D.V. Jones, Llanfair Caereinion, Powys
Runners-up Thulasi Vernalls, Milton Common, Oxon; John Pugh, Cardiff
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