Crossword Genius

Someone sticking nose in fruit, by the sound of it (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

meddler

'someone sticking nose in' is the definition.
(to stick one's nose in is to meddle)

'fruit by the sound of it' is the wordplay.
'fruit' becomes 'medlar' (apple-like fruit).
'by the sound of it' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'medlar' sounds like 'MEDDLER'.

(Other definitions for meddler that I've seen before include "One tampering" , "One who interferes" , "Busybody (not fruit!)" , "Interferer" , "One interfering" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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