Fake form of flattery (9)
I believe the answer is:
imitation
This clue is a double definition.
'fake' is the first definition.
(imitation leather for example)
'form of flattery' is the second definition.
('imitation is the sincerest form of flattery')
(Other definitions for imitation that I've seen before include "Sham - mimicry" , "False" , "Act of copying" , "it's not for real" , "take-off" .)