Crossword Genius

Old soldier or bad actor who took in an editor (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

redcoat

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

'old soldier' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'bad actor who took in an editor' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'an' could be 'a' and 'a' is found in the answer.
'editor' could be 'ed' (abbreviation) and 'ed' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'or' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for redcoat that I've seen before include "Tommy, once" , "Old British soldier - Butlin's entertainment organiser" , "Former British soldier" , "British soldier (hist.)" , "camp entertainer" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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