Rob Cross Just Got Hammered by the Tax Man - And It's Worse Than You Think

By Lewis Barnett 5 June, 2025 5 mins read 52 Views

Well, this is awkward.

Rob Cross - you know, "Voltage," the guy who shocked everyone by winning the World Championship back in 2018 - just got absolutely destroyed by HMRC. We're talking about a five-year director ban and over £450,000 in unpaid taxes. The kind of numbers that make your accountant break out in cold sweats.

I've been covering darts for years, and honestly? This one caught me off guard. Cross always seemed like one of the more level-headed players on the circuit. Guess that shows how much I know about what goes on behind the scenes.

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The Numbers Don't Lie (Unfortunately)

Here's where it gets really messy. Between March 2020 and November 2023, Cross pulled more than £300,000 out of Rob Cross Darts Limited that should've gone straight to creditors. Including HMRC, who - let's be honest - aren't exactly known for their sense of humor when it comes to missing payments.

But wait, there's more! The 34-year-old also had a director's loan account that was overdrawn by £423,608 when the company finally went belly-up in November. For context, that's more money than most people see in a decade.

His company received over £1million from tournament earnings during that period, plus another £169,500 in sponsorships. Yet somehow, they only managed to pay HMRC a measly £41,936 over three and a half years. The math here is... well, it's not mathing.

From Electrician to World Champ to This

Remember when Cross was just an electrician from Hastings who decided to give darts a proper go? That 2018 World Championship win was pure magic - beating Phil Taylor 7-2 in what turned out to be The Power's final match. Cross was crying, Taylor was emotional, and the whole sport felt like it was witnessing something special.

Fast forward to 2025, and he's banned from being a company director until June 2030. The guy who once threw perfect darts under the brightest lights in the sport couldn't navigate basic tax obligations.

What the Officials Are Saying (Spoiler: They're Not Happy)

Kevin Read from the Insolvency Service didn't mince words. His statement was basically a masterclass in bureaucratic passive-aggression: "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."

Translation: You messed with the wrong people, Rob.

Read also made it crystal clear that being a sports celebrity doesn't buy you any special treatment. "The rules apply equally to everyone in business," he said. Which, fair enough - though I bet Cross wishes he'd remembered that back in 2020.

The IVA Lifeline

Cross has entered into an Individual Voluntary Arrangement, which is basically a formal way of saying "I'll pay you back, I promise." The monthly payments will depend on how well he performs at tournaments, which adds a whole new layer of pressure to his game.

Imagine stepping up to the oche knowing that every missed double means less money for your creditors. That's got to mess with your head.

What Happens Next?

Despite all this drama, Cross is still scheduled to play Andreas Harrysson in Copenhagen at the Nordic Darts Masters this weekend. Because apparently, even when your business empire crumbles around you, the tungsten must fly.

The ban prevents him from being involved in promoting, forming, or managing any company without court permission. So his days of running Rob Cross Darts Limited are definitely over.

I reached out to his management team for comment, but haven't heard back yet. Can't say I blame them for keeping quiet right now.

This whole situation is just... sad, really. Cross went from being the feel-good story of darts to a cautionary tale about what happens when you don't pay attention to the boring stuff like tax bills. The man who once made the impossible look easy on stage couldn't handle basic corporate responsibilities.

Sometimes the real game isn't played with darts at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between steel tip and soft tip darts?

Steel tip and soft tip darts represent two distinct branches of the sport, each with their own equipment, venues, and sometimes even scoring systems. The most obvious difference is in the point: steel tips have metal points for traditional bristle boards, while soft tips use flexible plastic points for electronic boards.

How far should I stand from the dartboard?

The official throwing distance is 7 feet 9¼ inches (2.37 meters) measured from the face of the board to the oche (throwing line). In American darts, this distance is sometimes 8 feet, so check local rules if you're playing in the States.

Is it worth spending more money on expensive darts?

The question of dart investment really depends on your commitment level and budget. You don't need to spend a fortune, but there's definitely a quality threshold worth crossing.

What's the standard height for hanging a dartboard?

The standard height for a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) from the floor to the bullseye. This measurement is official across professional darts organizations worldwide, including the PDC and BDO. It's designed to create a fair playing field for players of different heights.

What weight darts should beginners use?

For beginners, I generally recommend starting with medium-weight darts between 21-24 grams. This range offers enough heft to fly straight without requiring too much force, but isn't so heavy that it becomes tiring during longer practice sessions.

How do I practice darts effectively if I'm playing alone?

Solo practice doesn't have to be boring—in fact, it's often more productive than casual games with friends. The key is having structured practice routines that target specific skills rather than just throwing randomly at the board.

Statistics

Phil Taylor has hit a record 22 televised nine-dart finishes throughout his professional career.
Statistical analysis reveals that professional players throw darts at an average speed of 40-60 miles per hour.
The distance from the throwing line (oche) to the dartboard is precisely 7 feet 9.25 inches (2.37 meters).
The highest possible score with three darts is 180, achieved by hitting three triple 20s.
In 2016, Michael van Gerwen set a world record for the highest three-dart average in a major tournament at 123.40.
A perfect leg of 501 can be completed in nine darts, known in the sport as a "nine-darter."
Research shows that top professional dart players achieve accuracy rates of over 80% when aiming at treble 20.
The standard height from the floor to the bullseye on a dartboard is 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 meters).

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Common Problems & How I Fixed Them

Inconsistent grouping was my biggest issue for years. The solution? I recorded my throw in slow motion and noticed I was dropping my elbow at different heights. Once I fixed that, my grouping tightened up immediately.