Page to be first, editor begged (7)
I believe the answer is:
pleaded
'begged' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'page to be first editor' is the wordplay.
'page' becomes 'p'.
'to' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'be first' becomes 'lead' (I've seen this before**).
'editor' becomes 'ed'.
'p'+'lead'+'ed'='PLEADED'
(Other definitions for pleaded that I've seen before include "Appealed or requested earnestly" , "Begged" , "Made an emotional appeal" .)