Rob Cross has been disqualified as a director for five years after his company failed to settle a mammoth tax debt. Rob Cross Darts Limited owed £450,000 to HMRC and other creditors when it went into liquidation.

The former world darts champion is now banned from becoming a director until June 2030. His company was created eight years ago to receive his earnings and prize money. Cross withdrew more than £300,000 from the company between March 2020 and November 2023, money that should have been paid to HMRC and other creditors. An Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA) was entered into by the 34-year-old last year, in an attempt to pay off some of the money he owes. Amounts paid by Cross in monthly contributions via the IVA will vary depending on his earnings from darts over the next few years.

By the time the company went into liquidation in November 2023, it owed £403,896 in corporation tax, £49,071 in VAT, and £12,436 in PAYE and National Insurance contributions. The company had only paid £41,936 to HMRC between March 2020 and the date of its liquidation.

Cross acknowledged that withdrawing £306,403 from the company was “to the risk and ultimate detriment of HMRC“.

Kevin Read, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said: “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.

“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. The rules apply equally to everyone in business, and we expect all company directors to comply with their legal responsibilities.

“Enforcing these rules consistently is crucial in maintaining a level playing field and preventing companies from gaining an unfair competitive advantage over compliant businesses that properly fulfil their tax obligations.”

Rob Cross Darts Limited was created in May 2017. Cross was appointed as a director on the same day the company was formed.

Insolvency Service investigations found that the company received just more than £1million from Cross’s earnings between the start of March 2020 and the date of liquidation in November 2023. A total of £169,500 in sponsorships and £261,901 from his management company was also paid into the company.

In addition to the £306,403 withdrawn by Cross, a further £665,419 was paid into the personal account of a connected party. It is not known whether this was Cross. His disqualification prevents him from being involved in the promotion, formation or management of a company, without the permission of the court.