The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 10 letter word ARISTOCRAT
I've seen this crossword clue in The Sunday Telegraph
A
R
I
S
T
O
C
R
A
T
More clues leading to the result ARISTOCRAT
- Noble actor is poorly represented in painting
- Grandee's pet crossing river with heartless Italian poet
- Seen in mirror, something black on bed, mister, a silk stocking
- Noble actor is oddly consumed by method
- A strict, or a liberal, gentleman?
- Noble actor is about to get into painting
- A strict or a liberal gentleman?
- Star actor I replaced as leading man, perhaps
- Perhaps lady is seduced by cunning touring actor
- Noble artist becomes involved in stoic art movement
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "as leading man, perhaps" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case as leading man, perhaps = aristocrat.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 ARISTOCRAT mean?
ARISTOCRAT noun- One of the aristocracy, nobility, or people of rank in a community; one of a ruling class; a noble (originally in Revolutionary France).
- A proponent of aristocracy; an advocate of aristocratic government.