Daily hard — 2026-10-22

Across

1. 3. Poet celebrated for his free verse and themes of democracy (11)
2. 8. Attractive traps for gathering attention or data. (9)
3. 9. A person who is adept at handling horses or tough situations. (10)
4. 10. 'The Band Played On' and 'Fortunate Son' are famous examples (8)
5. 12. A phrase often used to express frankness (10)
6. 14. Fighter famous for his undefeated record in MMA (6)
7. 16. Famous venue for the annual Rose Festival in the USA. (10)
8. 17. 70s trend for mood lighting and funky decor (8)
9. 18. Microsoft AI leader with a cautionary voice on design. (8)
10. 19. Concept in climate science referring to irreversible change. (12)
11. 20. Popular dish made from a purple vegetable (11)

Down

1. 1. People who explore underwater without breathing gear. (10)
2. 2. Small bags for carrying personal items or trinkets. (9)
3. 4. London football club known as the Blues. (9)
4. 5. Nickname for certain species in British angling, particularly for perch. (10)
5. 6. This term defines the speed of electromagnetic waves in vacuum (10)
6. 7. To change to a lower gear in a vehicle (9)
7. 11. A visual means of communication for the deaf community. (12)
8. 13. 1982 album by the King of Pop, featuring 'Billie Jean'. (10)
9. 15. Event to collect gifts for children in need (8)