Popular figure said to be idle (4)
I believe the answer is:
idol
'popular figure' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'said to be idle' is the wordplay.
'said to be' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'idle' is a homophone of 'IDOL'.
(Other definitions for idol that I've seen before include "One much admired" , "Pin-up" , "Heathen god" , "Someone much loved" , "Blue-eyed boy" .)