Crossword Genius

Charles and Mike showing wide difference (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

chasm

'wide difference' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'charles and mike' is the wordplay.
'charles' becomes 'Chas' (shortened form).
'and' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'mike' becomes 'M' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'chas'+'m'='CHASM'

'showing' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for chasm that I've seen before include "Abyss" , "Pit" , "Deep opening in the ground" , "big break?" , "Deep cleft in ground" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun and The Times.
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