I have been meaning to get in touch for some years about the frequency a word comes up on TV and it happens to be either the clue or something similar as to what I am about to fill in on a particular crossword, so answering your request. My record with one particular crossword was eight times! I usually get about three in a crossword, and yet other crosswords do not have these words as clues, so why should I be working on the one that the TV programme coincides with?
I have been doing your crosswords for some twelve to thirteen years – they kept me sane when I was really bad with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Even now with how the CFS has affected my brain with fog, sometimes I can do cryptics and other times when I try, I get a complete blank – the same with the DIYs. Have only managed one and it was quite easy, but no longer.
I always have either a BIG or a Colossus on the go and often get some done during TV commercials on mute. My two closest late friends, my late mother (95) and her late eldest sister (101) were both dedicated crossword solvers and I can only wonder if it is their way of letting me know they are watching over me still.
I do not feel spooked – more amazed really, and grateful I get some form of communication, as that is the only answer I can come up with.
Diane Nicol
Paraparaumu, NZ
Life is full of coincidences, Diane and you are not the first person to report finding answers to clues in unusual places or while doing something else unrelated to crossword solving. It must have been a great delight to share your love of crosswords with your mother and aunt. Thanks for your email.