No 2715, Sunday 02 Dec 12

ACROSS
1   - Short task involving one group of singers (5)  - CHOIR {CHO{1}Re}
4   - Relish a TV broadcast, a Sheridan play (3,6)  - THE RIVALS*
9   - One retaliating against English sovereign after first of attacks (7)  - AVENGER {A}{V}{ENG}{ER}
10 - Former partner, large in size, a model (7)  - EXAMPLE {EX}{AMPLE}
11 - After one chapter, praise one American novel (1,8)  - I CLAUDIUS {1} {C}{LAUD}{1}{US}
12 - Headdress, one nicked by a despicable type on the way over (5)  - TIARA {T{1}AR}{A}<-
13 - Marksman notes owl (12)  - SHARPSHOOTER {SHARPS}{HOOTER}
17 - Stupid person crossing road with compiler and dog (6,6)  - GORDON SETTER {GO{RD}ON} {SETTER}

20 - Statue of sorcerer on island (5)  - IMAGE {I}{MAGE}
21 - Slander a small individual I introduced (9)  - ASPERSION {A}{S}{PERS{I}ON}
22 - Sauce boat shattered when drop of chilli poured in (7)  - TABASCO {TAB{AS}{C}O*}
23 - Popular barrister to sum up (2,5)  - IN BRIEF {IN} {BRIEF}
24 - Patience has dream about beheaded spy (9)  - TOLERANCE {T{mOLE}RANCE}
25 - Keen listener describing good ending to programme (5)  - EAGER {EA{G}{E}R}

DOWN
1   - Rascal is shaking girl (8)  - CLARISSA*
2   - Extra weight in saddle (8)  - OVERLOAD [CD]
3   - Distinguished academic, frightful gossiper for sure (6,9)  - REGIUS PROFESSOR*
4   - Discoloured, one outhouse below mountain lake (9)  - TARNISHED {TARN}{1}{SHED}
5   - Not fluctuating, small odds (5)  - EVENS {EVEN}{S}
6   - Their evil banter aroused tsar (4,3,8)  - IVAN THE TERRIBLE*
7   - Come on the market with a soft fruit (6)  - APPEAR {A}{P}{PEAR}
8   - Watches wife pocketing a yo-yo (6)  - SEESAW {SEES}{A}{W}

MODERN KIDS

14 - One who may know a lot about tents? (9)  - OENOPHILE [CD]
15 - Hitting out (8)  - STRIKING [DD]
16 - Extremely stiff in coach? I must leave conveyance (8)  - TRANSFER {TRAiN{StifF}ER}
18 - Child upset and tense at an order that must be obeyed (6)  - DIKTAT {DIK<-}{T}{AT}
19 - Caper for which doctor is put in prison (6)  - GAMBOL {GA{MB}OL}
21 - A cereal with fruit (5) - ACORN {A}{CORN}

LINK TO SOLUTION GRID