Crossword Genius

Popular old rat (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

informer

'rat' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'popular old' is the wordplay.
'popular' becomes 'in' ('in' can mean trendy).
'old' becomes 'former' (I've seen this before).
'in'+'former'='INFORMER'

(Other definitions for informer that I've seen before include "stoolie" , "Criminal helping police" , "Grass, nark, canary" , "who may betray someone?" , "spy" .)

I've seen this clue in The Hindu.
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