Crossword Genius

Radical Mike in old tree (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

extreme

'radical' is the definition.
(radical can mean revolutionary or extreme)

'mike in old tree' is the wordplay.
'mike' becomes 'M' (phonetic alphabet: alpha, bravo, charlie etc.).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'old' becomes 'ex' (prefix meaning former or onetime).
'ex'+'tree'='extree'
'm' put into 'extree' is 'EXTREME'.

(Other definitions for extreme that I've seen before include "Most violent" , "very strict" , "furthest from the centre" , "Last" , "Very great; exceptional" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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