Dreamer, wishful thinker (8)
I believe the answer is:
escapist
I believe this is a double definition.
'dreamer' is the first definition.
(synonyms)
'wishful thinker' is the second definition.
(synonyms)
(Other definitions for escapist that I've seen before include "One who tries to avoid the harsh world" , "Walter Mitty" , "One avoiding reality" , "One living in a fantasy world" , "One who habitually fantasises" .)