Crossword Genius

Called for action about guy, duke, ... (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

demanded

'called for' is the definition.
(demanding is a kind of calling for)

'action about guy duke' is the wordplay.
'action' becomes 'deed' (deed is a kind of action).
'about' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'guy' becomes 'man' (I've seen this before).
'duke' becomes 'd'.
'man'+'d'='mand'
'deed' placed around 'mand' is 'DEMANDED'.

(Other definitions for demanded that I've seen before include "Requested imperiously as if by right" , "Requested peremptorily - won't take no for an answer" , "Insisted upon" , "Dictated" , "Called for" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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