Welcome, fellow wordplay enthusiasts, to another deep dive into the fascinating world of cryptic puzzles! Today, we’re wrestling with a particularly artful
crossword clue
that had me scratching my head and then grinning in admiration once its secrets began to unravel. It’s one of those clues that perfectly demonstrates the setter’s cunning, guiding your mind down one path only to reveal a delightful twist further along.
The clue in question, a compact six-letter challenge, is:
“Space around compere announcing love film (6)“
.
At first glance, this
crossword clue
presents several intriguing avenues for exploration. Let’s break down the initial impressions, much like we do when first encountering any cryptic gem.
Our definition, the bedrock of any good
crossword clue
, appears to be “Space.” A six-letter word for space. This immediately brings to mind a galaxy, a vacuum, a cosmos, perhaps a room or an arena. The possibilities are vast, just like space itself! This is where we know our final answer must comfortably reside, fitting the definition like a glove.
Now, for the wordplay – and this is where the setter truly shines with this particular
crossword clue
. We have “around compere announcing love film.” Each part of this phrase carries potential weight and multiple layers of interpretation, a hallmark of excellent cryptic design.
Let’s first consider “compere.” In the world of crosswords, words can take on their literal meaning, an abbreviation, a synonym, or even just individual letters. A compere, as we know, is a master of ceremonies, an MC. Could this be a simple case of placing letters “around” MC? This is a common and fruitful approach to many
crossword clue
constructions. The word “around” itself can be a powerful indicator: it might suggest a container (one word encompassing another), an anagram, or even a reversal depending on the context.
Then we come to “announcing love film.” This phrase is perhaps the most enticing and, dare I say, the most potent piece of misdirection in the entire
crossword clue
. “Announcing” is a classic homophone indicator, telling us to listen for something that
sounds like
the following words. And “love film”? Our minds, naturally, leap to “rom-com.” It’s almost too perfect, isn’t it? The setter knows we’ll immediately think of romantic comedies. So, are we looking for a word that
sounds like
‘rom-com’, which also means ‘space’, and somehow involves ‘compere’? This initial line of thought, while logical, often leads to a dead end if it’s the primary interpretation the setter wants you to dismiss. This is where the true brilliance of a cryptic
crossword clue
lies – in guiding you down a convincing, yet ultimately incorrect, path.
Could “love film” imply something more nuanced than a direct “rom-com” soundalike? “Love” in crosswords sometimes refers to the letter ‘O’ (as in a score of zero in tennis), or it might hint at a romantic sentiment in a different way. And “film” could be a specific type of film, a coating, or just a generic movie. Unpacking these possibilities requires a flexible mind, willing to test different interpretations against the definition and other wordplay elements.
The beauty of this
crossword clue
is how these seemingly disparate parts eventually coalesce. The genuine path to the solution requires a slight shift in perspective on both “compere” and the exact phonetic interpretation of “love film.” It’s a fantastic example of how a well-crafted cryptic
crossword clue
uses everyday language to hide its true meaning in plain sight, rewarding those who are willing to delve deeper than the most obvious interpretation.
So, take another look at “Space around compere announcing love film (6).” Don’t let the immediate pull of “rom-com” completely monopolize your thoughts. Consider alternative interpretations for “compere” and think broadly about what “announcing love film” might
really
sound like. The answer is elegant, perfectly fitting the definition, and brilliantly derived from the wordplay. Happy solving!
Available Answers:
ROMCOM.
Last seen on the crossword puzzle: Metro Cryptic Crossword Clues Tuesday, 25 November 2025