Rob Cross has broken his silence after being handed a five-year ban from serving as a company director, following revelations that he owed over £450,000 in unpaid tax. Now, ahead of his defence of the US Darts Masters crown, the 2018 world champion is offering a frank account of what led to the disqualification, how he hopes to make amends, and how he plans to move forward.
The Ban and the Backdrop
Earlier this year, an investigation by the Insolvency Service revealed a complex financial picture: Cross’s company, Rob Cross Darts Limited, had received in excess of £1 million from his earnings between March 2020 and November 2023. Over that period, Cross was found to have withdrawn more than £300,000 from the company, despite obligations to creditors and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). The inquiry also flagged a director’s loan account overdraft totaling more than £400,000 by the time the company went into liquidation.
At the moment of the company’s collapse in late 2023, outstanding liabilities included £403,896 in corporation tax, £49,071 in VAT, and an additional £12,436 in PAYE and National Insurance contributions, giving a total tax and NI debt of £579,805. Only £41,936 had been paid to HMRC in the same period.
In response, Cross has been disqualified from serving as a director until June 2030. The ban restricts his participation in the formation, management, or promotion of any company unless granted court permission. To tackle his debts, he entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), a legally binding agreement to repay creditors in installments based on his future earnings.
Cross Speaks: Admission, Regret, and Resolve
In a recent interview with Online Darts, Cross described the situation as “not the proudest moment” of his life. He admitted, “I understand I’ve done wrong, and I hold my hands up to it,” acknowledging the gravity of the missteps that led to the ban.
He explained that the process of finding resolution took time: “This has been going on for two years, to try and get to something of a resolve. It’s cost me a lot of money to get there.” He emphasized that his intention was never to shirk responsibility: “Going down this route, the IVA, to pay the money back, means that I’m not running.”
Cross spoke candidly about the emotional burden, saying he had “probably suffered more two years ago … trying to get everything sorted and getting your eggs into one line.” But, he insisted, he now sees the situation as settled enough to allow him to focus on what’s ahead. “That’s the one thing I am happy with now: it is sorted, it’s there now and it’s out, and I can just carry on working, I can pay it back and I can move forward.”
He also addressed the complexity of working within the system, noting that the government was reluctant for him to be declared bankrupt — a position he said was understandable. “There were so many complicated things, trying to set stuff up … It was about getting a plan in and getting that paid,” he said. Regret mingled with resolve when he added,
The timing of Cross’s public statements is significant: he is preparing to defend his US Darts Masters title in New York. Despite the looming shadow of his financial and legal troubles, Cross remains determined to compartmentalize and perform.
He’s been open about the toll the matter has taken on him — financially, emotionally, and reputationally — but he’s equally clear that he wants to restore confidence in himself and reconnect with the fans who have supported him over the years.
In his view, the situation does not define him indefinitely: “Make mistakes in life. I’m willing to correct them … this is going to tarnish me — but I’m going to correct them, do the right thing.”
For the darts community and casual observers alike, the coming weeks will be a lens into his resilience. Can Cross deliver on the oche as he attempts to pay penance off it? Can he balance the intense mental demands of competition with the pressure of repairing his reputation and finances?
One thing is certain: this is more than just a sporting comeback. It is a test of character, of accountability, and of whether a champion can rebuild trust after facing one of the most serious off-field judgments of his career.
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