Started to appeal to one (5)

I believe the answer is:

began

'started' is the definition.
('begin' can be a synonym of 'start')

'appeal to one' is the wordplay.
'appeal to' becomes 'beg' (I've seen this in another clue).
'one' becomes 'an' (an apple is one apple).
'beg'+'an'='BEGAN'

'to' acts as a link.

(Another definition for began that I've seen is " Commenced, started".)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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