Crossword Genius

Philip Pirrip, that seedy character (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pip

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

'philip' is the definition.
(can be a nickname for Philip)

'pirrip that seedy character' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'character' could be 'pi' (pi is a kind of character) and 'pi' is found within the answer.
A single letter 'p' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pip that I've seen before include "Mark of rank" , "Just defeat; apple seed" , "tiny bit of fruit" , "Defeat at the last moment - . . . at the post" , "Palindromic fruit seed" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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