Former world darts champion Rob Cross has broken his silence on his five-year director ban and £450,000 unpaid tax debt, issuing a public apology ahead of his US Darts Masters title defence in New York.
The 34-year-old admitted it was "not my proudest moment of my life" after his company, Rob Cross Darts Limited, failed to pay more than £450,000 in tax before entering liquidation.
Cross withdrew over £300,000 that should have been paid to HMRC and other creditors between March 2020 and November 2023.
Speaking to Online Darts, the 2018 world champion said: "I've done wrong and I hold my hands up to it."
Rob Cross apologised to fans after receiving a five-year director ban
Online Darts
The company owed £403,896 in corporation tax, £49,071 in VAT and £12,436 in PAYE when it went into liquidation in November 2023, with total liabilities reaching £579,805.
Cross has been disqualified from acting as a company director for five years until June 2030, preventing him from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company without court permission.
He entered an Individual Voluntary Arrangement last year to repay the debt, with contributions varying based on his darts earnings over the coming years.
The government report revealed Cross's company had received more than £1 million of his earnings between March 2020 and its liquidation.
Cross explained the situation had been "going on for two years" and it had "taken two years to get to something of a resolution".
"It's cost me a lot of money to get there," he said. "This isn't new news to me. I was probably suffering more than two years ago with it."
He emphasised his commitment to repaying the debt through the IVA, stating: "Going down this route with the IVA to pay the money back means I'm not running."
Cross added: "The UK government didn't want me to go bankrupt, which is rightfully so, and I don't think I've needed to."
The former world champion apologised to his supporters, saying: "I'm sorry to let all of my fans down.
"I will get it sorted and get back on my feet. Hopefully, it won't linger over me for the rest of my life."
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🗣️ "It's not my proudest moment of my life. I've done wrong. You make mistakes in life. It's going to tarnish me, but I'm going to correct them"
— Online Darts (@OfficialOLDarts) June 27, 2025
🎤 Rob Cross opens up about unpaid taxes
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Despite the controversy, Cross is focusing on defending his US Darts Masters title at the iconic New York venue.
"Winning it last year was very, very special," he said, adding that he had taken a month-long break to rest and recharge.
Cross insisted he was "mentally good" and ready to compete, having practised with new darts ahead of the tournament.
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