Former partner called in high spirits (7)
I believe the answer is:
excited
'in high spirits' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'former partner called' is the wordplay.
'former partner' becomes 'ex' (an ex-partner).
'called' becomes 'cited' (citing is a kind of calling).
'ex'+'cited'='EXCITED'
(Other definitions for excited that I've seen before include "moved by emotion" , "Jubilant" , "Thrilled; agitated" , "in agitated state" , "Aroused; eager" .)