Rob Cross, the former world darts champion, saw his company fail to pay more than £450,000 in tax, leading to a five-year director ban that prevents him from running or managing a company until June 2030. The disqualification, imposed in June 2025, follows the collapse of his business, Rob Cross Darts Limited, which left HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) owed £465,403.
Separation announced
Amid the financial turmoil, Cross, 35, has also separated from his wife Georgia, the mother of his four children. The couple, who met in Hastings in 2008 and married in 2011, announced the split on X on Wednesday night. “After a challenging few years, Georgia and I have decided to separate,” Cross wrote. “Our commitment as co-parents to our 4 children remains as strong as ever and they are our priority. It has been a difficult period while we work out the future. We ask for privacy during this time.”
Their relationship began when Cross walked into the pet shop where Georgia worked. She later recalled that they “just clicked” and on their first date shared a bag of chips while talking for hours. The couple have two sons, Bobby and Leyton, and two daughters, Imogen and Madison.
Director ban and tax debt
Cross set up Rob Cross Darts Limited in 2017 to channel his prize money and sponsorship income. The company took in more than £1.4 million during the most successful period of his career, which peaked with his stunning 2018 World Darts Championship victory over Phil Taylor in Taylor’s final professional match. Yet by the time the company entered liquidation in November 2023, it had racked up a tax bill of £465,403 that was never paid.
The Insolvency Service investigation found that between March 2020 and the liquidation Cross withdrew more than £300,000 from the company that should have gone to creditors, including HMRC. His director’s loan account was overdrawn by £423,608 at the point the firm folded. A further £665,419 was paid into the personal account of an individual with links to Cross. The disqualification order, lasting until June 2030, bars him from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of any company without court permission.
Cross has also entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) to address his debts, according to publicly available records.
Cross’s response
Addressing the tax failure, Cross said: “It’s not the proudest moment of my life. I’ve done wrong, I hold my hands up. I’m going to pay the money back. We make mistakes in life, but I’m going to correct them.”
The former electrician, nicknamed “Voltage” because of his old trade, has spoken previously about his struggles with mental health, including taking medication for ADHD, and has expressed guilt for not opening up about his emotions. He has also credited his family’s support as crucial during his career, and relocated from Hastings to Boston, Lincolnshire, to be closer to the Pro Tour events.
Cross’s career prize money passed the £3 million mark in 2024 and is estimated at £4 million as of February 2026. Besides his 2018 world title, he has won the World Matchplay in 2019 and the European Championship in 2019 and 2021. However, his form has dipped in recent months and he has slipped to 22nd in the world rankings.
