Beloved of many a listener (4)

I believe the answer is:

dear

'beloved' is the definition.
('dear' can be a synonym of 'beloved')

'many a listener' is the wordplay.
'many' becomes 'd' (**).
'a listener' becomes 'ear' (I've seen this before).
'd'+'ear'='DEAR'

'of' is the link.

(Other definitions for dear that I've seen before include "Beloved - expensive" , "pet > ducks" , "Highly priced" , "letter opener" , "Beloved or costly" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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