Crossword Genius

Banter about role, doubly English (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

repartee

'banter' is the definition.
(both can mean jocular conversation)

'about role doubly english' is the wordplay.
'about' becomes 're' ('re' means regarding or about).
'role' becomes 'part' (eg a part or role in a film).
'doubly' shows that letters should be duplicated.
'english' becomes 'E' (abbreviation).
'e' duplicated is 'ee'.
're'+'part'+'ee'='REPARTEE'

(Other definitions for repartee that I've seen before include "that may sound funny" , "Witty banter" , "Witty replies under pear-tree" , "Comic dialogue" , "Lively exchange" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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