Crossword Genius

Reportedly excluded writer (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

bard

'writer' is the definition.
(bard is a kind of writer)

'reportedly excluded' is the wordplay.
'reportedly' shows a homophone (sound like).
'excluded' becomes 'barred' ('bar' can be a synonym of 'exclude').
'barred' sounds like 'BARD'.

(Other definitions for bard that I've seen before include "Shakespeare" , "Epic poet" , "Poet; sounds like forbidden" , "Eisteddfod winner" , "A lyric poet" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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