Crossword Genius

'Stern Bill' -- the bloke's a real pain (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

backache

'a real pain' is the definition.

'stern bill the bloke's' is the wordplay.
'stern' becomes 'back' (I've seen this before).
'bill' becomes 'ac'.
'the bloke' becomes 'he'.
'back'+'ac'+'he'='BACKACHE'

(Other definitions for backache that I've seen before include "Eg, lumbar pain" , "Eg, lumbago" , "Pain in rear of body" , "Spinal pain" , "common complaint" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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