More artful hosts aren't commonly of better character (9)
I believe the answer is:
saintlier
'of better character' is the definition.
'more artful hosts aren't commonly' is the wordplay.
'more artful' becomes 'slier' ('sly' can be similar in meaning to 'artful').
'hosts' indicates putting letters inside.
'aren't commonly' becomes 'aint' (non-standard or 'common' way of saying 'aren't').
'slier' enclosing 'aint' is 'SAINTLIER'.
I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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