Cryptic crossword clue
What the tabloids call Susan Boyle’s badly trained assistant

The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 11 letter word SUBORDINATE

I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
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The straight part
We know that "assistant" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case assistant = subordinate.
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 SUBORDINATE mean?

SUBORDINATE noun
  1. One who is subordinate.
SUBORDINATE verb
  1. To make subservient.
  2. To treat as of less value or importance.
  3. To make of lower priority in order of payment in bankruptcy.
SUBORDINATE adjective
  1. Placed in a lower class, rank, or position.
  2. Submissive or inferior to, or controlled by authority.
  3. (grammar, of a clause) dependent on and either modifying or complementing the main clause
  4. Descending in a regular series.

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