A fan circling a comic (5)

I believe the answer is:

buffo

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'a comic' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'a fan circling' is the wordplay.
'a fan' becomes 'buff' (synonyms).
'circling' becomes 'o' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'buff'+'o'='BUFFO'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for buffo that I've seen before include "style of opera" , "Comic singer" , "Italian singer" , "opera singer" , "Comic in Italian opera" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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