Daniel’s companion, retired, gaining new self-confidence (8)

I believe the answer is:

abednego

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'daniel's companion' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'retired gaining new self-confidence' is the wordplay.
'retired' becomes 'abed' (I've seen this in another clue).
'gaining' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'new' becomes 'n' (common abbreviation eg NT for New Testament).
'self confidence' becomes 'ego'.
'abed'+'n'+'ego'='ABEDNEGO'

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(Other definitions for abednego that I've seen before include "who was protected from fire" , "A Fiery Furnace man (Daniel)" , "He survived being fired" , "One who was thrown into the fiery furnace (Bible)" , "Companion of Daniel (Bible)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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