Only Connect New Year’s Eve crosswords

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Anyone who watched the last Only Connect of 2024 may be wondering about the crossword which was displayed prominently in the foreground. Victoria referenced it during the show.

Here  are links to the same crossword twice. Firstly as a straight crossword and then as a cryptic crossword. Enjoy!

Straight:
https://preview.redd.it/single-special-crossword-v0-jlbqkajn29ae1.jpg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=76ad62cce862e44f3147fa6cae136755f1ddad93

Cryptic:
https://preview.redd.it/single-special-crossword-v0-19qjdj6o29ae1.jpg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2b8b63cd0b2c05a33a0232863d4d10a4582ffe9b

12 comments on “Only Connect New Year’s Eve crosswords”

  4. And this does actually matter, because they have the same answers! So the first one is full of spoilers in the form of straight definitions.

  6. A really nice Cryptic.
    I only wish that James Bond’s upturned toilet had been in today’s Rosa Klebb (FT); which I cannot praise too highly.

    The pairing of these two crosswords, sort of confirms my worst fears…… the “straight” puzzles are tougher than their cryptic equivalents. The classic ” only one bite at the cherry” factor.

  7. Pretty nice cryptic (tricky to do if you don’t print it, though…)
    It’s worth looking at Daniel’s solution page after you’ve finished the puzzle (I failed on 14d) – there is an interesting annotation regarding a connection between several answers.

  8. Wow – I was not expecting to have a puzzle commented upon by Fifteen Squared!

    Hello there, ’tis I, Everest (Dan Peake) and it’s been an honour and a pleasure to construct this crossword. I’ve been setting off-and-on for about a decade now, most of my knowledge has come from communal solving which I’ve slowly distilled into creating puzzles over time. As well as question writing / doing a few other bits and bobs for Only Conect, I work in the puzzles department for the Telegraph, though I don’t actually deal with any of the Cryptics or Toughies there.

    I know 24a is slightly cheeky in terms of its answer, but it is a themer so I considered it fair game, especially when I had a such a lovely clue for it. I am so sophisticated. I do have to thank Michael Baker, Deputy Puzzles Editor at the Telegraph for taking a look through the crossword to make sure it met his rigorous standards. I’m pleased to say there were not too many tweaks needed.

    I was delighted to have this crossword in Only Connect, it’s only a shame for space reasons we could only show a few of the straight clues on the screen, but it was better than nothing. I hope you enjoy it as a surprise little Only Connect treat.

    Also, I agree with E.N.Boll& in how straight puzzles are tougher! I need that extra help with the wordplay side of things to help me work out the answers.

  9. I keep telling friends that I can’t do straight crosswords, only cryptics. They think I’m being pretentious, so it’s very helpful to know there’s method in my madness!

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