Regrets first couple of options returned person of no substance (6)
I believe the answer is:
poseur
'person of no substance' is the definition.
(poseur can mean a superficial person)
'regrets first couple of options returned' is the wordplay.
'regrets' becomes 'rues' ('rue' can be a synonym of 'regret').
'first' says to put letters next to each other.
'couple of options' becomes 'op' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'returned' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'rues'+'op'='ruesop'
'ruesop' written backwards gives 'POSEUR'.
(Other definitions for poseur that I've seen before include "Person who strikes attitudes, a show-off" , "Person who puts on airs, a phoney" , "Pseud, posturer" , "Attitudiniser (Fr.)" , "One seeking to impress others with affected style" .)