Steve's cryptic crossword

After saying that he hopes Greg enjoys his “present” (irritating Alex by continuing to mischaracterise the concept of the prize tasks), Steve brings in a copy of The Guardian newspaper, published on the day of filming (the 26th of September 2023). He suggests to Greg that he should get into cryptic crosswords. Greg begs Steve that his prize submission will get better.

Alex interrupts the conversation to point out that he’d found a copy of the same newspaper in his dressing room. John, Nick, and Greg also note that they’d found copies in their own dressing rooms, and Steve asks them if anyone had done the cryptic crossword in it.

Steve then reveals that he himself had devised the cryptic crossword in the paper, which impresses Greg. A copy of the crossword is then displayed on-screen in the studio, with all of the answers filled in. Steve notes that cryptic crossword creators often hide messages in their puzzles, then reveals that he has hidden the message “GREG PLEASE GIVE STEVE ALL FIVE POINTS” in this one. Greg is astonished by this fact, and says the only problem for him is how to reward Steve and “punish” everyone else.

As expected, Greg awards Steve 5 points.

[Note: Steve’s cryptic crossword may be played online here. Also, along with many of his other prize submissions, Steve auctioned a completed and signed copy of this crossword puzzle after the show, to benefit Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley, Lancashire.]

(Written by M3 / Andres Sanchez and proofread by Karl Craven)

(Illustrations collected by Jenny R and adjusted by David Fuller)