Cryptic across
5 Egyptian on times’s first drink leads to a new, doddery nadir (11)
7 The soul of holy crusaders, evident in battle here (4)
8 Geordie’s reportedly gone environmental: it’s infectious (8)
9 Commercial opening for the December programme (6)
10 With Avon, one of the 11 after Branagh’s final two characters are cut (6)
11 American also has deep-seated arteries (6)
14 Paul’s dear friend’s finally leaving Iran for Spain, in the west (6)
16 Dream phone is in stock? (8)
17 Aaron’s grandad – the first name in jeans! (4)
18 Arsenal Shem designed for Assyrian king (11)