Former world champion Rob Cross has announced via social media that he and his wife Georgia are separating after many years together. The 35-year-old Englishman made the news public on Wednesday via Instagram and X, writing in an emotional statement: “After a difficult and challenging few years, Georgia and I have decided to separate.” Cross emphasized that the decision was not taken lightly, and that their children’s well-being remains paramount. “Our commitment to being co-parents to our four wonderful children remains as strong as ever and they are our priority. Obviously it has been a difficult period while we work out the future. We ask for privacy during this time. Thank you.”
Rob and Georgia’s love story began in 2008 when Cross visited the pet shop where Georgia worked. Three years later they tied the knot and went on to have four children: sons Bobby and Leyton and daughters Imogen and Madison. At that point, Cross was still a long way from a career as a professional darter, working for years as an electrician before deciding in 2016 to seriously pursue his dream of becoming a professional darts player. What followed was one of the most spectacular breakthroughs in modern darts history. On his PDC World Championship debut in 2018, he made history by becoming world champion straight away, defeating top favorite Michael van Gerwen in the semi-finals and dispatching Phil Taylor in the final – which turned out to be the very last professional match of Taylor’s career.
Cross later won the World Matchplay and captured the European title twice, and also reached finals at prestigious tournaments such as the Premier League Darts, Grand Slam of Darts, UK Open, Players Championship Finals, The Masters, and the World Series Finals. However, in recent seasons the shine has faded: where Cross was once number two in the world rankings, he has now slipped to 22nd. His last final at a major televised tournament dates back to 2023. Away from the oche, the Englishman also endured a turbulent period. In 2024 it emerged that issues had arisen around his company, which led to a significant tax debt of around 450,000 pounds, according to British media.
With the announced separation, Cross now faces another heavy blow. The former world champion hopes to find a new balance in the coming period in peace, while continuing to focus on his career on the oche. For the popular Englishman, an important phase now begins both privately and professionally.