Rob Cross, the electrifying former world darts champion known as “Voltage,” has been hit with a five-year ban from serving as a company director after his business, Rob Cross Darts Limited, failed to pay over £450,000 in taxes. The 2018 PDC World Darts Championship winner, who captivated fans with his meteoric rise from pub player to global star, now faces significant repercussions for financial mismanagement, casting a shadow over his storied career. The ban, effective until June 2030, bars him from being involved in the promotion, formation, or management of any company without court permission, a stark consequence for the 34-year-old darts sensation.
Cross, born in Pembury, Kent, and a former resident of Hastings, set up Rob Cross Darts Limited in May 2017 to manage his earnings and prize money during the peak of his career. The company amassed over £1.4 million from winnings and sponsorships, reflecting Cross’s success as he claimed the 2018 World Championship title and five World Series of Darts titles. However, investigations revealed that between March 2020 and November 2023, Cross withdrew more than £300,000 from the company that should have been paid to creditors, including His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Additionally, he took out over £400,000 in the form of a director’s loan, and £665,419 was transferred to a connected party’s personal account. By the time the company was liquidated in 2023, it owed £465,403 in taxes, with over £400,000 in corporation tax alone left unpaid.
“When directors fail to pay the correct amount of tax, it directly impacts the government’s ability to fund vital public services such as the NHS, schools, transport infrastructure, and our national defence,” said Kevin Read, chief investigator at the Insolvency Service. “This case demonstrates that we will pursue action against directors who deprive the public purse of much-needed funds. The rules apply equally to everyone in business, and we expect all company directors to comply with their legal responsibilities.” The Insolvency Service’s findings underscored that Cross’s actions not only jeopardized HMRC but also disadvantaged other creditors, highlighting the severity of the financial misconduct.
In an effort to address the debt, Cross has entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), a legally binding agreement that commits him to making regular payments to an insolvency practitioner. The amount he contributes will depend on his future earnings from darts tournaments, tying his financial recovery to his performance on the oche. This arrangement offers a glimmer of hope for Cross to rectify his financial missteps, but the road ahead is challenging. The darts star, currently ranked world No. 9, is set to compete in the Nordic Darts Masters in Copenhagen, facing Andreas Harrysson in the first round, and is slated to appear at the World Matchplay in Blackpool next month, where an £800,000 prize fund is at stake. These events could provide crucial earnings to support his IVA payments.
Cross’s journey to darts stardom is a tale of grit and talent. A former electrician who once split a £7 prize in a pub tournament, he turned professional in 2017 and stunned the darts world by defeating Phil Taylor 7–2 in the 2018 World Championship final, earning £400,000. “I said to my Mrs: ‘He ain’t bullying me,’” Cross recalled of facing the legendary Taylor, showcasing the mental toughness that defined his rise. However, recent years have been less kind, with a second-round exit at the 2024 World Darts Championship and a shock loss to Paulo Nebrida at the Bahrain Darts Masters in January 2025. His off-stage troubles now add another layer of complexity to his career.
The ban serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities that come with financial success, even for a celebrated athlete like Cross. “Enforcing these rules consistently is crucial in maintaining a level playing field and preventing companies from gaining an unfair competitive advantage over compliant businesses that properly fulfil their tax obligations,” Read emphasized. As Cross navigates this setback, his focus will likely remain on the darts board, where his skill and resilience could pave the way for both competitive and financial redemption.
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