Sport on TV – an exercise on synonyms

This is a recording of a letter to a national newspaper.
Can you pick out the phrases in this letter which are the equivalent of the words and phrases below? They are in order – see if you can guess how they are spelt!

When you have completed your list, can you decide which one of these synonyms is an expression of irony?

1 pouring wet
2 unable to stop watching TV
3 being thrilled by and also admiring
4 brave and bold actions / achievements
5 especially
6 although he had never expressed
7 former
8 spent quite a lot of money on
9 is out of sight
10 getting ready
11 fellow-cyclists
12 giving us such ….
13 in response
14 someone who has only recently become interested in (eg a competition or examination)
15 to stop spending so many hours on his computer
16 ongoing
17 lacking imagination or foresight
Key