The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 5 plus 3 letter word ALTER EGO
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
A
L
T
E
R
E
G
O
More clues leading to the result ALTER EGO
- Ultimately false number in singer’s equivalent figure
- Intimate change and say nothing
- Close friend frequently mislaying ring before journey
- An officer before journey finds close friend
- Hyde for one has to change, say, before first of outings
- Close friend to regale excitedly
- Other half to make changes and say nothing
- Trusted friend to change and say nothing
- Change nothing without, say, close friend
- Trusted friend spinning tale before about-turn
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Close friend" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case close friend = alter ego.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.