Rob Cross, the former world darts champion known as “Voltage” for his electrifying presence on the oche, has been hit with a five-year ban from acting as a company director after his business failed to pay over £450,000 in taxes. The 34-year-old, who rose to fame by defeating Phil Taylor in the 2018 PDC World Darts Championship, now faces significant consequences following an investigation by the Insolvency Service. The ban, effective until June 2030, prohibits Cross from being involved in the promotion, formation, or management of any company without court permission, marking a dramatic fall from grace for one of darts’ brightest stars.
Cross established Rob Cross Darts Limited in May 2017 to manage his earnings and prize money during the peak of his career. The company, based in Birmingham, amassed over £1.4 million from his tournament winnings, £169,500 in sponsorships, and £261,901 from his management company between March 2020 and November 2023. However, when the company entered liquidation in late 2023, it owed a staggering £465,403 to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), including £403,896 in corporation tax, £49,071 in VAT, and £12,436 in PAYE and National Insurance contributions. The Insolvency Service’s probe revealed that Cross had withdrawn £306,403 from the company during this period—funds that should have been paid to creditors, including HMRC. He later admitted these withdrawals were “to the risk and ultimate detriment of HMRC.”
Further compounding the issue, Cross’s director’s loan account was overdrawn by £423,608 by the time of liquidation, and an additional £665,419 was transferred to the personal account of a connected party. Kevin Read, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, condemned Cross’s actions, stating, “Rob Cross’s company owed more than £400,000 in corporation tax alone when it went into liquidation. For more than three years, he withdrew funds from the company which should have gone to HMRC and other creditors. This case demonstrates that we will pursue action against directors who deprive the public purse of much-needed funds.” Read emphasized the broader impact, noting, “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.”
In an effort to address the debt, Cross has entered an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), a legally binding agreement to make regular payments to an insolvency practitioner. The amount he contributes will depend on his future earnings from darts tournaments, a precarious prospect given the competitive nature of the sport. Cross, currently ranked world number nine, remains active on the PDC circuit, with his next appearance scheduled at the Nordic Darts Masters in Copenhagen, where he faces Andreas Harrysson in the first round. A victory could see him advance to the quarter-finals against either Chris Dobey or Jeffrey de Graaf, with potential earnings ranging from £1,750 to £30,000 from the event’s £100,000 prize fund.
The ban adds a layer of complexity to Cross’s career, which has seen both dazzling highs and recent challenges. After bursting onto the scene as an amateur and clinching the 2018 world title, he has secured five World Series of Darts titles and a Players Championship title earlier this year. Yet, his semi-final loss to teenage prodigy Luke Littler at the 2024 World Championship highlighted the fierce competition he faces. “The rules apply equally to everyone in business, and we expect all company directors to comply with their legal responsibilities,” Read added, underscoring the Insolvency Service’s commitment to maintaining a level playing field.
As Cross navigates this setback, the darts community and fans alike are left reflecting on the responsibilities that come with success. The former electrician from Pembury, Kent, who once lived in Hastings, must now balance his professional ambitions with the financial obligations of his IVA. With upcoming tournaments like the World Matchplay in Blackpool offering an £800,000 prize fund, Cross has opportunities to rebuild, but the shadow of this ban will loom large. His story serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of fiscal responsibility, even for those at the pinnacle of their sport.
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