The new Guardian Quick Cryptic seems like a great initiative to help people find their way in to cryptic crosswords. theguardian.com/crosswords/qui…

I’m on Pointless tomorrow night alongside the spiffing Jarred Christmas
7.45 on BBC1, I believe.

1 ping-pong ball. 30 seconds. Go!

I set today’s Indy cryptic:
puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-…

Sample clues:
Union advice: Uri Geller is a conman performing magic essentially (8,11)
Terribly tiny self-assembly boxes (8)
Trump exposed party (5)

No spoilers, ta!

It's Friday so we attempt today's very tricky cryptic crossword from The Times and The Sunday Times:

youtu.be/Wx55l-K_hPs

Shoutout to Dave Gorman and Tony Gardner 💙 in the introduction too :)

#crossword
Mick Hodgkin

You can see Dave Gorman’s film with me attempting a bespoke crossword here: youtu.be/AeSH4Jy94m4?si…

I set today’s Indy cryptic: puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-…
Cast not hotter in Succession (2,3,4)
Commute worked with Sierra and Model T initially (9)
Capital Radio still ultimately trailing tour and single (7)

No spoilers, ta!

Politician needs a role with Reform - ultimately by-election should follow (3,8)

I set today’s Telegraph Toughie: puzzles.telegraph.co.uk/puzzle?puzzle_…
Sample clues
Turkey say Foreign Office is over sharing with member of parliament (4)
Pervert is looking up skirts on catwalk shows essentially (5)
Worries constituency making small move to the far right (4)
No spoilers, ta!

I set today’s Indy cryptic: puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-…
Clues include:
With guidance I naively try and sue American college (4,10)
Occasionally tabloid called out Times’s excuse (5)
Go to cover firebombing - maybe originally ascribed to far right characters (8)

No spoilers, ta!

2yrs ago at a hearing test the audiologist asked if I’d ever worked in heavy industry. (That or ‘have you ever tucked-in Eddie Murphy?’)
Last week I started wearing hearing aids. Haven’t paused TV &asked Mrs G for a recap since. (Slightly missing her performances on some shows)

I set today’s Indy cryptic: puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-…
Sample clues:
Audacity of Spurs’ wingers going after two cups (5)
CV giving complete references (7,3,5)
Cleverly, say, incriminate best shot (7,8)
Men fitting plug reordered electrical component (7)
No spoilers, ta!

I set today’s Guardian cryptic: theguardian.com/crosswords/cry…
Waves card around at sport (6-7)
Competition missing Tango - Strictly’s biggest character quits (5)
Teachers tips for our orchestra before musical King and I (5)

No spoilers, ta!

At last! It's official! Very excited to be working with Dave Gorman and BirdGang Ltd. Come see us in Northampton on the 5th and 6th July Royal & Derngate.

Directed by Kate Golledge
Set design by David Woodhead
Management by Smart Entertainment

Tickets: royalandderngate.co.uk/whats-on/princ…

I set todays Telegraph Toughie: telegraph.co.uk/puzzles/puzzle…
Sample clues
Possibly room in The Bastille, Paris once all Americans have to leave (6,4)
Bore final artist involved in Best of The Beatles (9)
Threw a wobbly over classical work (4,5)

No spoilers, ta!

Joyous evening watching the masterful Jimeóin at the TIVOLI THEATRE Strongly recommend the tour if he’s coming near you.