Solution to Cross Contamination by Coot

 Cross Contamination by Coot - Solution

The ten pairs of letters spell out NEWSPAPERS and PRINT MEDIA. In the completed grid, the letters used for NEWSPAPERS are shown. Theme words are STAR, EXPRESS, MAIL, STANDARD, MIRROR, GUARDIAN, TELEGRAPH and TIMES.

In the following explanations, those words misspelt in the grid are spelt out correctly at the start of the explanation.

Across:

1. (E TRUSS)*; def = most likely

4. EGO in THON[g]S; def = old funnymen

9. R in (ASTER BED)*; def = favourite in garden?

11. ARIEL: L after AtRaIlEr; def = spirit

12. Reverse hidden; def = short video

13. ID[e] in RAP + FIRE; def = done very quickly

14. (ARTIST - IT)*; def = principal

15. TONIGHT: TIGHT around ON; def = this evening

19. EX + PRESS; def = say

21. M + AIL; def = spam maybe

24. After TEST is DRIVE; def = automatic evaluation?

26. CLU[i]NG; def = stuck

27. W in MO[o]ER; def = what cuts

28. Hom of NEW + MANIA with O for A; def = nasty illness

29. DD

30. KIT + SCH; def = poor taste. 

Down:

1. SCRAPPAGE: SCRAP + PAGE def = process of getting wasted?

2. RADIOWAVE: (A WAR VIDEO)*; def = it's fast-paced but unwatchable!

3. MIRROR: Reversal of RO + R + RIM; def = close match

5. HIT LIST: DD

6. Reversal of DR in IGUANA*; def = keeper

7. OB + reversal of [f[ILE[s]; def = doubting marks

8. Hidden; def = your task

10. [d]AIRY; def = fresh

16. GRADUATES: A + DU in GRATES; def = doctors, perhaps

17. [f]LEET* + GRAPH; def = signal

18. TENDER + ED; def= quoted

20. SHINPAD: SH + IN + PAD; def = cushion for footballer

22. URGE: [b]URGE[r]; def = egg on

23. S + CAM + P+I; def = shellfish

24. T + reversal of SEMI; def = by

25. SEPIA: Regular letters; def = shade