Crossword Genius

Contestant has viral problem (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rival

'contestant' is the definition.
(I know that rival is a type of contestant)

'viral problem' is the wordplay.
'problem' indicates an anagram.
'viral' is an anagram of 'RIVAL'.

'has' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for rival that I've seen before include "Competitor; be as good as" , "Close competitor" , "Be equal to in quality" , "Compete with" , "Emulate" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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