| GRATUITY | A gift from Rita and the first guy (8) |
| TRIGGERS | Sets off with the first guys who know the ropes |
| BLESSING | From "blood", a word for an act of consecrating, hallowing or marking with said vital fluid first, now a prayer invoking protection; grace before supper; a gift from God; official approval or best wis |
| CRITERIA | The standards in which Rita and Eric are involved (8) |
| DONATION | A gift from the same people (8) |
| ENDPAPER | Either of two leaves at the front and back of a book, pasted to the inside of the board covers and the first leaf of the book (8) |
| SILPHEUM | Plant used in ancient Greek medicine, said to be a gift from Apollo (8) |
| DIATRIBE | Passionate words in bed - Rita and I getting excited |
| SCOTSMAN | Flying -, Sir Nigel Gresley's LNER Class A3 that was the first locomotive to clock 100 mph and the first to circumnavigate the globe (8) |
| ADAM | The first guy to be a mother! |
| FRANKLIN | Aretha ___ Think singer and the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame |
| REHOBOAM | Son of Solomon and the first king of Judah (8) |
| HED | "___ be the first guy I'd congratulate!" |
| LONESOME | Blue & ___ 25th American studio album by The Rolling Stones and the first one to feature only cover songs |
| PAULKING | Director of "Wonka" and the first two "Paddington" movies |
| AWHITEELEPHANT | A gift from the king of Siam, but quite useless (1,5,8) |
| STATUEOFLIBERTY | The ____ was a gift from France to the USA, dedicated in 1886 |
| NEIL | First guy on the moon |
| CAINE | Actor noted for roles in Alfie, The Italian Job, Battle of Britain, Educating Rita and Hannah and Her Sisters (5) |
| LIBERTY | The Statue of ___ symbol of alliance that was a gift from France to the US |
