The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 plus 6 letter word TIGHTROPE WALKER
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
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More clues leading to the result TIGHTROPE WALKER
- Right to swap tops before tramp visits Lord – his job is on the line
- Drunken rambler crossing moor, one desperate to maintain balance
- Telegraph work? It involved being on wire
- Pile the artwork up, holding bottom of ceiling – one could be high and wobbly
- Highly strung, one whose life may be in the balance
- ‘Telegraph’ work — it involved high-level performer
- Drunk guy maybe, pedestrian performer who looks about to drop off?
- Performer offering a balanced performance, although high
- One guy won’t support this one
- Performer who must toe the line?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "one desperate to maintain balance" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case one desperate to maintain balance = tightrope walker.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.