Crossword Genius

Actor about to end the affair, nominally (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hiram

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'affair nominally' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'actor about to end' is the wordplay.
'actor' becomes 'ham' (ham actor is a kind of actor).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'to end' becomes 'ir' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'ham' enclosing 'ir' is 'HIRAM'.

'the' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hiram that I've seen before include "I gave Solomon materials for Temple" , "He supplied temple builders" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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