Crossword Genius

Something to light leading actor in bed (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cheroot

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'something to light leading' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.

'actor in bed' is the wordplay.
'actor' becomes 'hero' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'bed' becomes 'cot' (cot is a kind of bed).
'hero' put within 'cot' is 'CHEROOT'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cheroot that I've seen before include "Type of cigar" , "Square-cut cigar" , "Cigar with open ends - hot core (anag)" , "Small cigar" , "Cigar with ends squarely removed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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