No fellow crossing river — crosser of Channel! (6)

I believe the answer is:

norman

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'crosser of channel' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I don't see how one could define the other.

'no fellow crossing river' is the wordplay.
'fellow' becomes 'man' (fellow can mean a man).
'crossing' is an insertion indicator (to cross can mean to go over or around).
'river' becomes 'r' (abbreviation).
'no'+'man'='noman'
'noman' placed around 'r' is 'NORMAN'.

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(Other definitions for norman that I've seen before include "1066 invader" , "10th century French settler ..." , "Person from France" , "Black Wednesday's Chancellor of the Exchequer" , "-- Wisdom, comedian" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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