Crossword Genius

The first bit of pretentiousness upsets him

Ross

I believe the answer is:

peter

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'him' is the definition.

'the first bit of pretentiousness upsets' is the wordplay.
'the first' becomes 'rete' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'bit of' indicates taking the first letters.
'upsets' says the letters should be written in reverse.
The initial letter of 'pretentiousness' is 'p'.
'rete'+'p'='retep'
'retep' in reverse letter order is 'PETER'.

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(Other definitions for peter that I've seen before include "Leading apostle" , "Fellow < safe" , "One of Jesus' disciples" , "-- Sellers, comic actor" , "and 4 across Doctor Who actor" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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