2541: Beastly

The unclued lights are to be resolved into four (unrelated, non-thematic) phrases which share a common format.

Across

12 Pope, maybe, as thespian turning in late in France (9, two words)

13 Pound fine imposed on Bill Stevenson (5)

15 Reserve WC in polar areas (9)

20 Cosseted artist in recording was dominant (7)

24 Alastair organised white-collar workers (8)

26 Key worker’s jargon (4)

27 Sash Holbein regularly displayed (3)

28 Either way, one in order (3)

Most popular

Druin Burch

Lucy Letby and the killer nurse I worked with

29 Resistance units – I see thousands (4)

32 Collier’s outer garment covers vestment that’s old (8, two words)

34 Bull and steer on left (6)

37 Agreement by smart lad returning green pottery (7)

42 Assistance for the poor, extravagant, willingly given (9)

43 Speak badly of topless dress (5)

44 Disciplined approach gets white rock broken (9, two words)

Down

1 Start of the alphabet spells ‘skunk’ (4)

2 Wild cats left out in capital (7)

3 Cold butter and jam (4)