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Toughie setter that’s hilarious and jolly inspired by classic style @ bigdave44.com/2026/10/01/3767 Claims the entire perimeter excludes diameter (7) Bad time to abandon spruce that's rotten at heart (7) Smart to turn down drop of schnapps after prune tart (7)

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Content from work penned by dope pair who set today’s Toughie @ bigdave44.com/2026/09/24/3763 Roughly boxing in clubs, fighter shows craft (5,7) Wink hidden by German contractor almost noted (6) Mysterious secret objects and information primarily (9)

052

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

A new turn by smart top Toughie setter @ bigdave44.com/2026/09/17/3759 Company car starts quicker – fine to go for ride (13) Miss Whiplash maybe in shed gripping client’s backside – it involves pins (3,6) Plane from LAX more tense – on board mostly drunk (5,4)

020

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Tackle entertaining curtain-raiser from crafty Toughie setter @ bigdave44.com/2026/09/10/3755 Dancing nude – what, still cold? (8) Persian nightwear perhaps best? (3,4,7) Early general drink produced by farmers? (8)

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Toughie setter’s latest in Tel checked by contrary spirit @ bigdave44.com/2026/09/03/3751 Attack group with assistance back at the front (8) Granny possibly inspiring island air that's foul (6) Right about old pub stocking east European ham? (11)

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ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Review of a very lean, concise setter over @ bigdave44.com/2026/08/27/3747 Hunt down suspect possessing lead to intriguing mystery (9) Pull up boring character having a pair of shades (3-4) Hurtful broadcast twin oddly put out (7)

010

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

Toughie setter that’s funny and jolly, tackled by poster in review @ bigdave44.com/2026/08/20/3743 Social climber's finished with graffiti? (7) Fanatical members in a cult sporting hair on face (7,6) Lady who sings right at home producing Rocket Man (7)

020

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

F*ck, it’s impossible to avoid Featherston’s top Toughie setter! Blogged … again @ bigdave44.com/2026/08/13/3739 Knave almost entirely a scoundrel (6) Dull expert still offering no end to torment at all (7) Slow mover caught by fishing boat with no prow (7)

021

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

Today’s Toughie puzzler has smashing tips for baffled beginners over @ bigdave44.com/2026/08/11/3737 Finally Gordon Brown becomes less sensitive (6) Trump’s enforcers' best course? (3,5) Upset to be sacked? (12)

020

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Today’s Toughie setter: broadcaster and largely good egg @ bigdave44.com/2026/08/06/3735 Tumble dryer’s a “gift” found at entrance for scrap-heap (8,4) Piece journalist filed (7) Finally play Spice Girls’ Wannabe as on broadcast – keep stopping song (3,2,4,2,7)

040

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

@unchcrosswords.com Sorry if I'm late to the party but I just almost fell off my chair ... Unch gets a top plug in the latest T3 magazine – the best, cheapest thing in there by about a million pounds!

2173

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Opening with starters of smoothly inventive Lego, veteran setter @ bigdave44.com/2026/07/30/3731 Dinosaur bone discovered by retired academic early in August (9) Identify England's opener after scoring runs taking drug (9) Australian music producer made love, embracing Spice Girl before party (10)

130

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

Upbeat Toughie setter blogged today @ bigdave44.com/2026/07/23/3727 Ex-leader departs, excluded from data store successfully (8) Wild English composer, filled with spirit, losing head (9) Approach experts, doubling care and skill initially (6)

040

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Toothsome muso dude gets thumbs-up as today’s Toughie setter @ bigdave44.com/2026/07/16/3723 Despicable celeb in pop lady cleaned out (9) Smuggle in a cutting implement (6) Drink in sailor's world? (6)

020

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

A new battle of wits set by smart top compiler blogged @ bigdave44.com/2026/07/09/3719 In America, game wife dancing in ballgown holds in ... (4,7) ... boob, somewhat overreacting (3) Celebrate Viagra's latest cracking blue tablet (7)

140

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Andy Burnham savagely snubbed by bunny boiling Telegraph writer @ bigdave44.com/2026/07/02/3715 Well, not in today's Toughie, but other parties get a look-in … Reform is inane with party splitting country (9) Inspire Kemi's possible statement of political allegiance, ignoring Liberal (5)

040

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

@crypticblah.bsky.social I may just have casually defamed you on DIY ... I just couldn't help myself!

220

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Possibly born to pen today’s stern Toughie puzzler, he’s rated @ bigdave44.com/2026/06/25/3711 Like strong acid kept in tin by puzzle setter (6) Understanding lumberjack's work includes competitive price (6,7) One descriptor of Othello then another's enthralling head of theatre company (7,6)

020

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

@crypticblah.bsky.social Dear chap, are we going to see an ANDY BURNHAM (4,7) off you this week? www.ukpuzzle.com/phpBB3/viewt...

310

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Her vile career’s kaput – No.3 to Keir Starmer finally quitting (6,6)

110

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Reviewer’s mark for returning Toughie setter today @ bigdave44.com/2026/06/18/3707 Solid work at university involving reading, perhaps? (6) Get the best of complete component of quadratic equation (9) Journalists heading for Klosters engaged in excellent evening in bar there? (5-3)

020

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

Flipping brilliant – gold stuff from cool new Toughie setter @ bigdave44.com/2026/06/11/3703 This setter's cracking cryptic clues shine (9) When to participate in small amount of alcohol? (5) New Yorker's break with partner spanning a year (7)

270

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Today’s Toughie setter is back to work with letters @ bigdave44.com/2026/06/04/3699 Fat swine blocks old port (8) Heartless competitor Omani bit (4) Concern of EV buyers published outside of garage (5)

170

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

With surfaces of roguish naughtiness, nobody will fail to endorse today’s Toughie setter blogged @ bigdave44.com/2026/05/28/3695 S&M in apartment: I'm all right with it (5,2) Okay result of sleeping on infested mattress? (2,2,7) Obsession of Big Apple politician travelling in Omaha (11)

040

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Had a wobbly over terms found in puzzler from today’s Toughie setter? Hints & tips @ bigdave44.com/2026/05/21/3691 Saints ace playing around with back from rugby team (7,4) Match experience entertains half of Kopites? (5) Pep's zip not moving at this speed? (5)

130

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

Some tickety-boo tips for today’s Toughie setter @ bigdave44.com/2026/05/14/3687 What's self-described as birdwatching? (10) Climax of grave accident - overturning - is … (8) Someone who made bad marriage sadly poised to smother you in texts (7)

140

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Labour wannabe on the Right set shortly to resign by tomorrow’s end (3,9)

051

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

MP who just oddly resigned, largely pissed off about half-lies by Labour’s leader? (4,8)

230

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

I do realise that wannabe skateboarders have to practise somewhere so as to stop being an embarrassment for life … I just wish they’d find another place to fall over other than right outside my window. I can highly recommend the M25.

020

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

Blogged @ bigdave44.com/2026/05/07/3683, today’s Toughie compiler set with oomph (6) Sly American in charge is past it (7) Against flipping roll call in the middle of the night (9) Rewarded waster and a couple of donkeys elected to parliament (8)

020

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

Today’s Toughie puzzler is a cracking lark, solved @ bigdave44.com/2026/04/30/3679 Flush edges clamped by one inside (7) Spoil a bunch of sultanas Spain's exported (4) Least credible stories essentially duplicated given time (7)

010

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Today’s Toughie setter can be incredibly hard – tips from me at bigdave44.com/2026/04/23/3675 Outsider suggesting tip, sir? (4,6) Realises plastic's out of fashion, so we're told (6,2) Likelihood of large cup breaking like this soaring (4)

010

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Very lean, clipped tips on a review of newspaper Toughie setter @ bigdave44.com/2026/04/16/3671 Ever clear he's mistaken one for Rachel Reeves! (7) Will novelist this writer's left barely suppress conceit? (4-10) Ignoring signs at intervals traveller is repeating (7)

010

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 10/04/2026

Loving the ads popping up every time Drumpf posts yet more bollo on TrumpetSocial. The juxtaposition is perfect.

010

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

This compiler’s cracking puzzler unpacked by me – finally! @ bigdave44.com/2026/04/09/3667 Sloth, in time, holding back sex (7) Gin is slipped into pint for silent type (8) Reminder to switch sides for line in bar? (4)

020

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

All but outwitted by Parisian bloke who set today’s Toughie? Hints @ bigdave44.com/2026/04/02/3663 Sound of bird could alert him? (5) Animal included in cattle drive (5) Brooded with rage seeing caricature (6)

010

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

And here I go again … with a slightly fruity (well, it is the weekend) little number @ mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3254. Ta lots to Raider as always.. Tear a Mars bar wrapper (3) Savage review of The Sound of Music? (3,2) Flipping red-top, say, pinching Independent's talent (6) #cryptic #crossword

mycrossword.co.uk

Cryptic crossword No 3,254 · MyCrossword

Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,254 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 32 clues by ALP. Published Sat 28 Mar 2026. Features annotated solutions. Free to solve online.

1123

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Had troubles with flipping advanced chap who set today’s Toughie? Hints and tips @ bigdave44.com/2026/03/26/3659 Non-standard, like a PC that's not working? (7) Misguided Liberal leaving for SNP discovered and exposed (7) Apocryphal book? Newspaper article from the east covers it (7)

010

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 19/03/2026

Who set today’s cryptic bit? All is revealed @ bigdave44.com/2026/03/19/3655 Taking lead from Barclays, make smaller bank cards (8,6) Media cover players getting hold of prescribed drug (8) Hard decision over America (7)

020

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

Free-for-all tips on nifty rib-tickler nobody should fail to approve @ bigdave44.com/2026/03/12/3651 Old Peruvian comedians collaborating (2,7) Exploited European employed in Bucks? (4) Work ending so claimed Universal Credit? (6,2)

010

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 05/03/2026

Setting with a bit of oomph, this compiler could be Amoeba (it’s not, he’s in the Indy!) Tel Toughie blogged @ bigdave44.com/2026/03/05/3647 Incompetent with US agency in clear (10) Fires back lacking energy and strength (7) Left inside, grass grassed? (8)

030

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 27/02/2026

As if I could possibly love Radiohead more..

030

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Who set today’s Tel Toughie? Practical guidance provided here with review of paper’s puzzler @ bigdave44.com/2026/02/26/3643 Mere youngsters perhaps cringe facing Chuck cycling (9) More friendly American ousts top European from job (6) Former Tory escapes from those twisted blackmailers (13)

020

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Tips for Kiwi-based crossworder’s intricate Telegraph puzzler @ bigdave44.com/2026/02/19/3639 End for Achilles and Hector in a boat? (4) Spat behind unattractive person in suit (9) Harry - name needed - in irons, initially! (7)

120

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

Whoever set today’s hardcore Toughie must be heartless – there’s no end of misdirection! Blogged @ bigdave44.com/2026/02/12/3635 Look to pinch empty store's doormat? (8) Absentee soldier, largely faithful to the crown (6) Man aboard small boat gets emergency medical cover (4,5)

030

ALP @adamlp.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

This setter has two lives – one as Ray T, t’other as seen in today’s Tel Toughie, blogged @ bigdave44.com/2026/02/05/3631 Wanders around with shopping, maybe (7) Punishes move trapping knight on board (9) Daniel Craig perhaps embraces female villain (10)

030