Crossword Genius

Crowds outside of penultimate appearance of Derek and Clive? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

james

'clive?' is the definition.
(writer Clive James)

'crowds outside of penultimate' is the wordplay.
'crowds' becomes 'jams' (jam is a kind of crowd).
'outside' indicates putting letters inside.
'of penultimate' becomes 'e' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'jams' enclosing 'e' is 'JAMES'.

'appearance of derek and' acts as a link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

(Other definitions for james that I've seen before include "P D - - , writer" , "Capt. - Cook, explorer" , "Man's name" , "Jesse ___, US outlaw (1847-82)" , "The first king of England and Scotland" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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