Crossword Genius

Star players given gold (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

castor

'star' is the definition.
(Castor is an example)

'players given gold' is the wordplay.
'players' becomes 'cast' (group of actors).
'given' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'gold' becomes 'or' ('or' is the heraldic name for gold).
'cast'+'or'='CASTOR'

(Other definitions for castor that I've seen before include "Trolley wheel" , "Brother to Pollux" , "Pollux's twin" , "for wheel? Yes and no" , "Superfine baker's sugar" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app