eye 359

[bamberger]

Really struggling this week. Only got about half a dozen clues out.
7a Nothing on top, like a couple of old Henry's mates (8)
b?l?????. First part must be bald but if answer is baldness where does the second part of clue come in?
21d Could be used to put a luvvy into obscurity (3,3) ??? ?c?
Is this old act?
10a Beefy into S and M (9). Could some kind person please explain what this is about? All I can think of is beefy Botham or the meat beef but this gets me nowhere. Thanks

[BigMac]

Is 7a BEHEADED - thinking about Henry VIII's mates...?

On 10a, I wondered if MASOCHISM was the answer - but haven't worked out why yet.

[slaney]

10a Strapping ?

[johnalex]

2d Dry Ice

[johnalex]

10a Strapping (beefy) . . . . Sadism and Masochism

[johnalex]

7a agree Beheaded

[bamberger]

Thanks chaps-1d must be chopsticks and not slapsticks. I thought an easy piece was something to do with a slapper!

[Steve Drums]

It's a toughie this time. I have most answers but am struggling with the following, all suggestions appreciated.

6d Chauvinist's "droop and wobble" (9) ???G???E?

13a Joint certain terrorists often chose for getting smashed (7) ???????

8a Short girl sporting long tongue (6) ???G??

[bamberger]

flagwaver ,
patella ,
mongol - not sure about this mongol is a language = tongue. Mona shortened to mon and l for long , sporting =go?

[gordiniroy]

For Mongol I think it's 'Mo' short for a girls name and an anagram of long.

[gordiniroy]

I've reached the completely stumped point

2d Drug-taking party leader finally shows hand ?a?y?r?r
19a Paisley's heart is in rows over Assembly s?s?e?n
21a Dick, as you might coyly say, having to pull off ring, had breakdown d?o?a?
22d start removing clothes as an old seducer would do ?r?o
and 24d Spit, perhaps, from joint brenda expelled r?e?
is it reed?

[BigMac]

2d - I think you have 9a wrong; if it's dipso rather than dipsy then you get LABOURER - Labour = party + E = drug + R = last letter of leader

[BigMac]

21a might be DOODAH

Any idea on 23a and 24d ?

[gordiniroy]

24d I'm thinking Reed
23a is corn dolly

[eddiebun]

Reef - Reefer minus ER ( Brenda - The Queen )

[BigMac]

19a How about SESSION (assuming 20d is Il Duce)
24d is REEF (a spit/head of land with ER (Brenda) expelled from REEFER = a joint)

[gordiniroy]

I had 20d as El Duci for that Italian chap back in the early 40s.

[BigMac]

Definitely il as Italian; el is Spanish

[eddiebun]

Remember, if you ever want to check your solution Brian Talbot always has his solution at

http://members.lycos.co.uk/bri_tal/crosswords. html

[gordiniroy]

Top banana! Thanks chaps