Crossword Genius

Not exactly butter, but famously larger than life in fiction (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bunter

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'life in fiction' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's an association between them I don't understand?

'not exactly butter but famously larger' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'not' could be 'nt' (synonyms) and 'nt' is located in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'than' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for bunter that I've seen before include "Billy ..., the Owl of the Remove at Greyfriars" , "Unending time" , "Billy -, fict. schoolboy" , "Billy ......, iconic English fat boy" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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