Steamy gossip that's spiteful going round about privates? (6)
I believe the answer is:
torrid
'steamy' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for torrid that I've seen before include "Blistering - steamy" , "Hot and emotional" , "Highly emotional" , "sultry atmosphere" , "Scorching hot" .)