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Hello, Elle!
Well, EuroSport has around 8 or 9 hours of tennis each day next week so you should catch some of it.
Rain here, too!
Yes, I like the judges on BGT, but I think Simon could smarten himself up a bit, and have a shave.
It would put him on a par with David, (and Ant and Dec) and Amanda and Alesha are always very fetchingly turned out.
No scruffy t-shirts for them!
But, yes, Simon does seem to have mellowed and it suits him!
I had a wee look at the betting to see who is favourite to win and Paddy P have the Missing People Choir as favourites.
We shall see!

Hi, Rusty!
Now that surprises me about Paddy Power.......
I think the Missing Persons Choir an excellent idea for promoting the members' problems, and need for help, in locating their relatives and friends.
I greatly admire what they are doing...but I didn't rate their act all that highly on the accomplishment scale - on the humanitarian scale, yes, I would give them full marks.
I think it wonderful.
But I am thinking they got more of a 'sympathy' vote?
(You can shoot me down in flames, if you don't agree!)
There will be a lot of sympathy, too, for the young girl with scoliosis - indeed, as there should be - but I don't know whether it is right for 'external reasons' to hold sway when it comes to judging "talent"?
Maybe the answer to the young girl's health problem would be a "Just Giving" page....in fact, I am rather surprised that this hasn't already happened.
(unless, it has, and I haven't heard of it?)
We quite often get appeals in our local paper for similar issues.......
To digress....I think Simon's glasses suit him!

Hello, Elle!
I think you are missing the point that Paddy P is not judging how good or not these acts are. They are running a "book" and that book is formed by the money being placed on each act.
Looks like, just now, the Missing People act are being backed.
i would not place a bet now, because many acts have not appeared yet.
But for interest, Paddy's leading odds are, Missing People 11-5, Sarah Ikumu 3-1, Angelicus Celtis 9-1, Tokio Myers 9-1, Angara Contorton 9-1.
Up to now, it is Angelicus Celtis and Mr Williams for me!
There is vast scope for improving Simon's appearance!

Hi, Rusty!
Yes, I could very well be missing the point!
I am not good at understanding betting!
But I think I perhaps put it very badly.
I meant to say that I was surprised that sentiment surpassed ability?
But I wasn't meaning to imply that the decision was Paddy Power's; I understand (I think?) that it is the opinion of those placing the bets?
It is confusing for me!
I meant to tell you that I finished the 15 x15 this morning - all bar a few parsings, but I am still battling with these, so will not ask for help yet!
I look forward as usual to the Everyman tomorrow - I like that !

Good evening, Elle!
The rain has stopped and it is a lovely evening!
Betting is fairly simple.
The more money placed on a horse, say, the shorter the odds will become. The horse with most money on, is the favourite.
Well done on the puzzle.
The parsings are fairly straightforward, though I had to go to Dictionary to find the meaning of one word.
I am sure you will manage!

Hi, Rusty!
I have watched BGT and recorded "Casualty" for later.
BGT provided a very varied programme tonight; there were three acts that I thought good.
One was a magical act, but it was unusually amazing!
I am not sure if I 'liked' it, but it was certainly incredible!
And very (apparently) dangerous!
I shall say no more until you have watched for yourself!
I shall be interested to hear what you think of it all?
Just one clue left to parse....I managed eventually to solve the others!
I'm glad I persevered!
9d: Diamonds one's put in frame for sweeping (14)
Indiscriminate = sweeping (def)
But I cannot parse the rest?

Hello, Elle.
I watch BGT on Sunday mornings,.
Put in frame is "incriminate".
"D" for diamonds.
It is abbreviated to "d" in bridge and other card games.
One's is "1s" becoming "is".
Hows that?

Great, Rusty!
Thank you for the parse.
I could not see any of that!
I am pleased with myself, though, about solving the others with which I'd previously struggled!
( Even if it did take me "all day"!)

Hello, Elle!
Yes, but you are getting better all the time, and filing away little bits of info, like the cricket terminology that often appears.
You are always learning.
I could not parse 23a for a while, "not wanting zip" threw me for ages, until I discovered in Chambers that "zip" in US slang means nothing or nil.
So then I twigged it was the nothing "o" in the word "not" that had to be removed, or wanting, as the setter had it, to give "neglige n t".
That clue took me a while because I did not know zip meant nothing!
But I have filed it away now!

Hi, Rusty!
You always manage to say the right thing!
That was heartening, because I had managed to do 23 across - negligent - with no problem!
I guess we all take on board different things at different times!
And, as you say, hopefully absorb them and remember them for the future!
I do not like to give in, though, and often, like today, will persevere for most of the day off and on, rather than admit (eventual) defeat!