Crossword Genius

Bondsman to have letters dictated for comedian (5,4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ernie wise

'for comedian' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'bondsman to have letters dictated' is the wordplay.
'bondsman' becomes 'ernie' (I've seen this before).
'to have' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'letters' becomes 'Ys' (more than one Y).
'dictated' shows a homophone (sound like).
'ys' is a homophone of 'wise'.
'ernie'+'wise'='ERNIE WISE'

(Other definitions for ernie wise that I've seen before include "funny little man" , "deluded TV playwright" , "The short, straight one" , "comic" , "comedian" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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