Crossword Genius

Releases five blokes -- good to be free (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

vents

'releases' is the definition.

'five blokes good to be free' is the wordplay.
'five' becomes 'v' (roman numeral).
'blokes' becomes 'gents'.
'good' becomes 'g' (abbreviation).
'to be free' is a deletion indicator.
'gents' with 'g' removed is 'ents'.
'v'+'ents'='VENTS'

(Another definition for vents that I've seen is " Escape holes for gas or air".)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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