Look at the start or end of the clue

This is a homophone clue - look for indicators like 'we hear', 'sounds like', 'say', 'aloud', or 'reportedly' - the answer sounds like another word

Break down the clue into definition and wordplay parts

Answer: HEDGEHOPPER | Wordplay: ‘Head chopper’ (guillotine), did you say? – one of Paul’s less outrageous sound-alikes: I rather liked it