Crossword Genius

Staggered to have dance with journalist (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

reeled

'staggered' is the definition.
('reel' can be a synonym of 'stagger')

'dance with journalist' is the wordplay.
'dance' becomes 'reel' (reel is a kind of dance).
'with' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'journalist' becomes 'ed' (short for editor).
'reel'+'ed'='REELED'

'to have' is the link.

(Other definitions for reeled that I've seen before include "Staggered in a dance perhaps" , "Staggered (at a Highland ball?)" , "Felt giddy, staggered" , "Staggered or tottered" , "Staggered - having done Irish dance?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror and The Daily Express.
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