The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 10 letter word RINGLEADER
I've seen this crossword clue in The Sunday Telegraph
R
I
N
G
L
E
A
D
E
R
More clues leading to the result RINGLEADER
- Director of music cycle recited songs
- R for a gang boss?
- Call Johnson, say, the cause of all the trouble?
- Mastermind: circle editor’s article
- Band’s songs will be heard – he’s the one responsible
- One to call boss?
- Band’s number one songs heard with operatic work
- Queen’s supporting bandand will be instigator
- Chief of crooks spinning grander lie
- Main villain in opera and songs from Germany on the radio?
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Main villain" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case main villain = ringleader.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.
What does RINGLEADER mean?
RINGLEADER noun- A leader of a group of people, especially an unofficial group.
- A person who starts and leads a disturbance (such as a riot), a conspiracy, or a criminal gang.