| GOITALONE | Be independent and surprisingly genial too (2,2,5) |
| MAVERICK | Declare Mick's out to be independent and unorthodox (8) |
| VILLEINAGE | State of lowly worker, surprisingly genial in loathsome environment (10) |
| TAGLINE | Conclusion of advertisment given surprisingly genial slogan (3,4) |
| EXECUTIVE | Old and surprisingly cute, I have become leader (9) |
| PLAYEDOUT | Exhausted and surprisingly due to perform first |
| UNRELATED | Defence group told to be independent |
| BILATERAL | Be independent initially, afterwards Capone is involving both parties (9) |
| FREELANCE | Be independent |
| GRANDPRIX | Race two monkeys, with Independent and Times carrying publicity (5,4) |
| INAMORATA | The girl one loves, independent and repulsed at a city-dweller in Italy |
| EDUCATED | Well informed and, surprisingly, dead cute! (8) |
| WASPS | Start off to find widespread and surprisingly persistent stingers (5) |
| SUPERBLYREBIRD | Greatest Australian songster marvellously and surprisingly bred around Ireland (6,8) |
| TOPIARY | Garden style is supreme and surprisingly airy |
| INVADE | Vie and, surprisingly, overrun (6) |
| RANGY | Long-limbed and surprisingly angry |
| DISTANT | Aloof and surprisingly staid group of conservationists (7) |
| ABRUPT | Curt and surprisingly brusque. (6) |
| GENTEEL | Well bred and surprisingly gentle around Ellie at the start (7) |
