Thanks all for the congratz, and thanks to AW and everyone who's played me crosswords, helped me get better, and not moaned when I inevitably made some schoolboy error.
As for the cheque - it's not signed at all ... well, not by a human hand. It has a sort of coloured pattern with little braille type bumps on it. What it does have, however, is a millions column - gulp! Not cashing it though (even though I could do with 20 quid) as it's going on the wall cliche stylee - in fact, I have to buy a frame which technically means I've lost money on this gig - what a world, eh?
Thanks again for all the kind words. Today a clue contest, tomorrow the world!