ACROSS
1 Malicious gossip who had better be kept in one’s sight! BACKBITER
5 Poplar variety, a species easily nurtured initially ASPEN
8 Icy lunar formation shows the kind of skill needed in the kitchen CULINARY
9 Emotional problem? Put the phone down HANG-UP
11 Overweight, like some of these bovines in retreat OBESE
12 Dote on duo oddly and find which one doesn’t quite belong ODD ONE OUT
13 Plump pixie retreats, self-conscious FLESHY
14 It’s a man’s version of a part of the logarithm MANTISSA
16 Worthy of admiration, girl is outwardly fit ADORABLE
18 Jolts caused by slightly sweet white wines SHOCKS
22 Such a dinner might as well be due to power outage CANDLELIT
23 In the fireplace it has a good charge GRATE
24 Became straight from a corrupt state? UNBEND
25 Rare mice variety with more fat CREAMIER
26 Time to request squadron leader for jobs TASKS
27 Piece of cardboard much prized by wannabe NRIs GREEN CARD
DOWN
1 Footballer, no longer fresh, may retreat from action BACK OFF
2 In a mix of pics article is replaced by English place of learning COLLEGE
3 Banned healers in confusion get top attention in newspapers BANNER HEADLINES
4 Fish found by petty officer in mountain lake TARPON
5 Not in favour of rice, say, contrary to natural inclination AGAINST THE GRAIN
6 Unpleasant people take a long time with birds PIGEONS
7 Oil that causes new ulcer in the mouth NAPHTHA
10 Attach an American weapon to get the antelope ADDAX
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15 In a secretive way, unknown ills are treated SLILY
16 Report on a relationship with the bank ACCOUNT
17 Stand-in, in a short time, returns with a combined edition of books OMNIBUS
19 Old empress caught with gold thread new article CZARINA
20 Cut off, was that woman a revolutionary? SHEARED
21 Celebrity, very English, can go without food STARVE