Crossword Genius

Character providing introduction to further capital (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cardiff

'capital' is the definition.
(Cardiff is an example)

'character providing introduction to further' is the wordplay.
'character' becomes 'card' (both can mean a humorous person).
'providing' becomes 'if' (eg 'providing it's sunny' means 'if it's sunny').
'introduction to' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'further' is 'f'.
'card'+'if'+'f'='CARDIFF'

(Other definitions for cardiff that I've seen before include "European capital, birthplace of Roald Dahl" , "Welsh city" , "Capital of Wales" , "Capital on the Taff" , "Place in Wales" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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