Colin has been a twin ever since birth, and capitalised on this good fortune by setting crosswords under the pseudonym Twin for the Listener (since 2017), Magpie (since 2020), Independent (since 2022), and Guardian Genius (since 2024). He also appears as Prime (Telegraph Toughie & The Actuary), Agenor (TLS), and – somewhat unimaginatively – Colin Thomas (Telegraph Cross-Atlantic & Church Times). He will tell anyone who will listen that his surname, Thomas, means twin.

No, his twin doesn’t set crosswords.

Colin has won a few prizes from the Listener and Magpie, and is not humble enough to pretend that he doesn’t want to win some more. Joining the Magpie editorial team at the end of 2024 was not a means to this end – it turns out editors don’t get any bonus votes – but instead a desire to steep himself in crosswording as much as possible. Likes: grid symmetry, good surface readings, concise preambles, amusing titles. Dislikes: parsnips.