Crossword Genius

Spice Girl's bit of leopard print clothing radical? Originally, yes (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sporty

'spice girl's' is the definition.
(nickname of Melanie Chisholm in the Spice Girls)

'bit of leopard print clothing radical? originally yes' is the wordplay.
'bit of leopard print' becomes 'spot' (leopard print is spotty).
'clothing' is an insertion indicator (some letters cover up or clothe others).
'radical?' becomes 'r' (chemistry abbreviation).
'originally' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'yes' is 'y'.
'spot' enclosing 'r' is 'sport'.
'sport'+'y'='SPORTY'

(Other definitions for sporty that I've seen before include "Flashy" , "Athletic" , "Given to physical game-playing" , "Energetic" , "(Of car) with rapid acceleration" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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