Paignton turned out to be pathetic (8)
I believe the answer is:
poignant
'be pathetic' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'paignton turned out' is the wordplay.
'turned out' is an anagram indicator (turn out can mean to organise).
'paignton' with letters rearranged gives 'POIGNANT'.
'to' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for poignant that I've seen before include "Deeply moving - no taping (anag)" , "Moving, touching" , "Touching - gin on tap (anag)" , "Heart-rending" , "Evoking sadness or regret" .)