No-hoper playing roles (5)

I believe the answer is:

loser

'no-hoper' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'playing roles' is the wordplay.
'playing' indicates an anagram.
'roles' is an anagram of 'LOSER'.

(Other definitions for loser that I've seen before include "Roles for a non-winner" , "one that's been left behind" , "Unsuccessful competitor" , "A failure, also-ran" , "Defeated person" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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