Crossword Genius

Doubly firm with enthusiast - kind of shy (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

coconut

'kind of shy' is the definition.
(coconut shy is a traditional game)

'doubly firm with enthusiast' is the wordplay.
'doubly' indicates the doubling of some letters.
'firm' becomes 'co' (abbreviation for company).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'enthusiast' becomes 'nut' (nut can mean an enthusiast or fan).
'co' doubled is 'coco'.
'coco'+'nut'='COCONUT'

(Other definitions for coconut that I've seen before include "Large palm seed" , "fair target" , "Shy occupier" , "Large edible fruit" , "Flesh" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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