The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word PUPPETEER
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More clues leading to the result PUPPETEER
- Performer is cheeky youngster, a favourite always
- Showman with young faithful follower touring East
- Elevate favourite with protection of fellow who pulls strings
- He holds string to control little dog, safe, full of energy
- Young dog, one like Toto, eternally poeticised in Oz?
- Soft drug support occupies one holding the strings?
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "one holding the strings?" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case one holding the strings? = puppeteer.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 PUPPETEER mean?
PUPPETEER noun- A person who uses a puppet.
- Someone who is manipulative and thus able to get people to do what they want or events to develop in the way they want, respectively, in a puppet-like manner.
- To control a person, event, or organisation.