Felt tattooist up to check rumours (6)
I believe the answer is:
tattle
'rumours' is the definition.
(tattle can mean rumours or gossip)
'felt tattooist up to check' is the wordplay.
'to check' says the answer is hidden in the clue (I've seen 'checks' mean this (check can mean to curb or restrain)).
'up' is a reversal indicator (in down clue: letters go upwards).
'elttat' is hidden in the letters of 'felt tattooist'.
'elttat' back-to-front is 'TATTLE'.
(Other definitions for tattle that I've seen before include "Tell tales" , "Inform on someone" , "Divulge secrets" , "Gossip, idle chatter" , "'Gossip, idle talk (6)'" .)