January 21, 2026 – Big Dave's Crossword Blog

DT 31142

Daily Telegraph Cryptic No 31142
Hints and Tips by Deansleigh

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BD Rating – Difficulty **  Enjoyment ***

Good morning from a wet and windy Hampshire, where I think someone must have been performing a 17d with spectacular success.  I found today’s puzzle to be suitably challenging for a Wednesday back-pager, with a couple of clues in the NE corner taking a while to fall, pushing my solving time into 2* territory.  I thought there were many concise and elegant clues today; I particularly liked the match official in 10a and the ebullient Mr Cantona in 21a, but my favourite is the cryptic definition in 3d.  Many thanks to today’s setter.

In the hints below the definition element of each clue has been underlined, anagrams are CAPITALISED and indicator words (e.g. anagram indicators) are in brackets. The answers are concealed under the Click Here buttons.

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ST 3351 (Full Review)

Sunday Telegraph Cryptic No 3351

A full review by Rahmat Ali

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This puzzle was published on 11th January 2026

BD Rating – Difficulty **Enjoyment ****

Greetings from Kolkata. A lovely and friendly puzzle from Dada this Sunday which I enjoyed solving and thereafter writing a full review for your kind perusal and valuable feedback. Continue reading “ST 3351 (Full Review)”