If you've packed the Christmas decorations away in the loft, done all the crosswords in the print media and you find yourself at a loose end, there *is* a Stamp in the Independent today. puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Interested in setting cryptic crosswords, or improving ... or just finding out more? Following on from Raider's excellent advice at @mycrossword.co.uk, I've started a new blog series looking at how and why cryptics work: www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/setting... Hope it's useful / interesting!

Very happy to be back in the Independent with a crossword today. I wrote it in 2023, when the world champion at 24ac wasn’t so famous and the brothers in 21dn weren't talking! Devious new clue following edit (9) Harry owes cash for present (8) Free at puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

I set today’s Sunday Telegraph prize Toughie www.telegraph.co.uk/puzzles/ "Tangled up in Blue" ultimately discarded by music magazine (8) Character from "Lewis" close to suspect on slope (6)

With regard to getting answers, new year, new you? (11) Setter becoming single – time to lose weight? (4) Bury playwright, Harold, without his head? (5) Dice Quiptic today 🎲🥰 Keen for these to be accessible as a next step from the Quick Cryptic, so feedback very welcome! #cryptic #crossword

I set today’s Guardian Prize crossword. You can take it slowly: Two girls in brief medley (7) Finish from Lionel Messi resolved matters? (6) Grand National winner allowed to carry small load (9) www.theguardian.com/crosswords/p...

(daft punk One More Time voice) Auld Lang Syne

Thanks to everyone who solved my puzzles in 2025, knowingly or otherwise. I've had lots of fun, and there's more to come in 2026...

Aw sheeeeeeeeeeeeit www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

With so many people taking up setting recently, I’ve put together a quick guide to help you get started. www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/becomin...

A long shot, but does anyone happen to have a copy of yesterday's Daily Telegraph, ideally with crossword untouched?

And here's the blog: www.fifteensquared.net/2025/12/29/m... I’m really grateful to Fifteensquared for including MyCrossword. If you have a moment, commenting on this post (and the other new ones to come) would be much appreciated and helps show there’s genuine interest in them featuring the site.

Both delighted and proud that my 100th puzzle on MyCrossword is also the first in the new collaboration between mycrossword.co.uk and fifteensquared.net. The puzzle can be found here: www.mycrossword.co.uk/featured/1 I hope you enjoy it.

Happy Christmas… I got you a crossword. (Today’s Telegraph Toughie) www.telegraph.co.uk/puzzles/puzz... Clues include: Frank’s suggestion for anything in Yorkshire (9) Charge new iPhone less on Mac (7) With Camilla’s backing, regularly tells King to roll joint (5) No spoilers, ta!

A rare but fun appearance by the gaffer Eimi in the Independent today, featuring this absolute corker: Pinter play involving three people: a woman and two men (8) puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

A new Platypus has arrived on @mycrossword.co.uk 17 setters have written lovely clues, such as - Last bits of mixed herb stuffing to go inside turkey (5) - Providing weapons to suppress the French is dreadful (8) - Candytuft is submerged by Italian river with the passing of time (6) Check it out!

Tango returns in the Times QC today, with clues including: Fling a menu, furiously expressive (10) Solve it in the paper or here: www.thetimes.com/puzzleclub/c...

Delighted to be back as Bard in the @the-independent.com today. puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti... Big cheese beat restriction, having discovered tax not applicable (3,6) Very impressive bit of extreme picknicking (4) Here’s the family engaged in some extreme picknicking on Skye.

If you like cryptic crosswords repost this

If the Epstein Files have left you with a thirst for large areas of blacked-out blocks, why not have a go at my Christmas jumbo cryptic crossword in the @financialtimes.com? Print the pdf here: www.ft.com/content/9f5a...

Local farmer hides baby born in a stable? (4) They’re looked after mostly by shepherds, to begin with (5) Nice gal resolved to become heavenly (7) Happy Christmas! Looking for something to get you into the spirit? Dice returns this week with some festive fun, I hope you enjoy! #cryptic #crossword

Get your 2026 self a little treat! Unch Issue 2 is out in January - you can ensure you don't miss out by pre-ordering a copy now... Go to unchcrosswords.com to reserve YOURS! This one has eight of our usual standard cryptics, plus a fun alphabetical *and* an exciting thematic as well!

Hard on the heels of yesterday’s excitement, I’m delighted to be back in the Independent today. Clues include: At Arsenal, United fan starts to dance so wildly it makes ground shake (3,7,5) Help oneself to son’s chips (5) #cryptic #crossword puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

I'm back as Weatherman in the Toughie today, with clues including: Wrong copper parts in an old car (10) www.telegraph.co.uk/puzzles/puzz...

Rob Reiner's incredible trailer for "This Is Spinal Tap" - boingboing.net/2025/03/19/t...

A busy weekend featuring two family birthdays, a West End show and a Christmas party, but in between we're looking forward to crosswords by @iguesscryptics.bsky.social and @henriwords.com. Join us at 12! #CrypticSunday twitch.tv/crypticsunday

I set the #cryptic #crossword in today’s The Independent. Solve it for free online here(select 11th Dec): https://puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent?puzzleDate=20251211

I’m delighted to report that my friendly, feathered alter ego Loon makes another appearance in the Times Quick Cryptic slot today. A slightly tricky one judging by the early SNITCH. #cryptic #crossword

Courtesy of today's Times, we have a new entry for my "How have so many solvers never heard of THAT PERSON?!" list

Maybe 8 out of 10 Cats ended prematurely, in for broadcast (8) It's a pleasure, as always, to set The Independent #cryptic #crossword, especially one with such a lovely palindromic number. I hope it brightens your day! puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Delighted to see CtC on BlueSky - and this is a really enjoyable video

I set today’s cryptic crossword in the Independent. Sample clue: Flamboyant playwright - Coward? - lies around (5,5) Solve it here FOR FREE: puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/cryptic-crossword-independent

I really enjoyed watching @quizzydan.bsky.social tackling my latest Indy from 1hr27m here - the rest is also worth your time! www.twitch.tv/videos/26353...

Chris Lancaster, the Telegraph's puzzles editor, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease last year, and is fundraising for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle - please donate if you can: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...

A nice MyCrossword debut here (though not a first puzzle ever) - if you get the chance, please take a look & give some feedback www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/2920

I set today's Independent puzzle - but I won't make a song and dance about it. puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Chris Lancaster, the Telegraph's puzzles editor, was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease last year, and is fundraising for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle - please donate if you can: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding...

Thanks to everyone who's pre-ordered a copy of Issue 2 (out in January) - we've raised enough money to cover printing already! If you've not ordered yours yet DON'T MISS OUT - go to unchcrosswords.com and secure a copy now. #Cryptic #Crosswords #CrypticCrosswords

Oh, what a lovely write-up of the marvellous Glyph (aka @petermoorefuller.bsky.social) Guardian Genius puzzle! (I had a preview of this puzzle back in the summer and I *knew* it was something rather special 👏👏👏) www.theguardian.com/crosswords/c...

@amoebacrosswords.bsky.social Very pleased to make my debut in the Times Quick Cryptic today! Hope you enjoy it.

I'm very excited about the excellent puzzles we've got lined up for Issue 2, coming out in January. Setters this time will be: ALP Gennaro Catnip The Void Heron Ruskin Umpire Crenditi Bard Henri That's 8 standard cryptics, an alphabetical jigsaw, and a barred thematic. Fun! unchcrosswords.com

This is a great opportunity for newer setters to get feedback & exposure! (the good sort, not the cold sort)

I set today’s Guardian Prize crossword. Don’t be scared. Waistcoat good for pulling? (7) Finished eating skinned sea bass fillet (6) On stage (3) www.theguardian.com/crosswords/p...

Excellent clue in today's Times: Fly back from China in 747? (4)

You should do today’s Times cryptic. And then you should do today’s Financial Times cryptic. Including: Giant bird with many wings taking flight (5) Solve it FOR FREE … - at ft.com/crosswordapp - printing it out at ft.com/crossword

Very pleased indeed to have had the opportunity to compile today's Times Crossword. www.thetimes.com/puzzles/cros...

Issue 2 available for (pre)sale now: unchcrosswords.com

Always worth watching again - Italian singer Adriano Celentano's song that sounds like it's in English, but is actually gibberish www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU-w...

I set today's cryptic in the Indy. Including: Spinning throw breaks dish (4,3) Fighting has mainly imposed on US? (4,7) Provoke Gregorian at the outset with year missing from their calendar? (4) Solve for free here: puzzles.independent.co.uk/games/crypti...

Honoured to be featured in @thetimes.com's regular Puzzles newsletter! Thanks @mickhodgkin.bsky.social 👍