Rob Cross has spent years proving that he belongs among the biggest names in darts, but the former world champion has now opened up about a very different battle away from the oche.
The 36-year-old revealed that his 15-year marriage to Georgia ended earlier this year after what he described as a difficult period. Yet rather than speaking bitterly about the separation, Cross has credited his estranged wife for helping create a healthier situation for their family — and, perhaps surprisingly, giving his own career some renewed structure.
That makes this story much more than another celebrity relationship split. Cross says the changes in his personal life have helped him regain some balance, rediscover his enjoyment of darts and focus on getting himself back among the sport’s elite.
Cross confirms marriage split
Cross announced the separation publicly on June 10, saying that “after a challenging few years”, the couple had broken down and “decided to separate”.
The former electrician and 2018 PDC World Champion also made clear that their priority was co-parenting their four children.
Several months on, Cross has now explained how the situation has developed since the split. Far from describing a bitter relationship, he says his relationship with Georgia has actually improved.
“Me and Georgia, we had a hard couple of years. Last year, there were a fair few rows,” Cross said.
“We made the decision to split this year. I have to admit, I will say this, she’s a great mum, and I get on better now with Georgia than I have done for years.”
That is quite a striking admission.
For Cross, the end of the marriage has not meant the end of a relationship with Georgia. Instead, he says the pair have found a better way of communicating, particularly when it comes to their children.
Their children remain the priority
Cross explained that he now has considerable freedom to spend time with his children around his demanding darts schedule.
“We have a better understanding with the kids. I get them whenever I want them.”
That arrangement appears particularly important because professional darts leaves Cross with little spare time, especially during the busiest periods of the season.
“I probably need that in my job. Credit to her. I can see my kids whenever I want.”
He also explained that he can simply go and collect the children and spend time with them when his schedule allows.
“I can nip round and pick them up. And still take them out. I’m a lucky boy.”
There are no rigid arrangements dictating exactly when Cross sees his children, according to the player.
“We have no set times. Credit to her. She lets me have them whenever I am around.”
For someone travelling extensively for tournaments, that flexibility could make an enormous difference.
The split has given Cross more structure
Perhaps the most interesting part of Cross’s comments is the way he believes the change has affected his professional life.
“If anything, it has given me a bit more structure in my life. I want to see them. I do that. Then I do my practice.”
That sounds simple, but for a professional sportsman, routine can be everything.
Cross admitted that he struggled with his motivation during the previous year, while personal issues away from darts also affected his preparation.
The former world champion now believes he has found a better balance between family and his career.
“I’m a busy, busy boy. It’s working well. I do get on better with her now. We don’t argue. The kids are our number one priority.”
That is probably the most positive aspect of the entire situation.
Rather than allowing the separation to become another source of instability, Cross appears to have found a way to separate his personal relationship with Georgia from their responsibilities as parents.
It has not been a bitter breakup
Cross was also keen to stress that the split has not descended into the sort of public fallout that often follows high-profile separations.
“It has not been nasty or vindictive and credit to her for that. We don’t have the most normal job in the world.”
That point is worth remembering.
Professional darts involves constant travelling, long periods away from home and weekends dominated by tournaments. Cross’s schedule can make ordinary family routines extremely difficult.
The former world champion even joked about one of the more mundane realities of becoming single.
“It’s been a big change – when you have to wash your own pants, it’s tough.”
But underneath the humour, Cross appears to be saying that the new arrangement has worked better than he might have expected.
“It happened, but the way it has worked out, it’s worked out well. It works for all of us. She gets time to herself, too.”
Cross is trying to revive his darts career
The timing is significant because Cross has also been trying to rebuild his position in professional darts.
His ranking has dropped to 22nd in the world, and the former world champion admitted that his performances and preparation had not been where he wanted them to be.
“I had a massive shock to the system with my world ranking being lower this year. I’ve had to play as much as I can to get my one-year ranking up.”
Cross said he missed several tournaments and European Tour events last year, while his performances on television were also disappointing.
“Last year I missed a lot of tournaments, I missed some European Tours. And on TV, I have not really performed. Life is life.”
He also accepted some responsibility for that period.
“I was probably a bit guilty of not putting in enough effort last year at times, trying to deal with other stuff, off the dartboard.”
That honesty is important.
It would be easy for an elite athlete to blame poor results entirely on circumstances, but Cross has instead acknowledged that he could have done more.
The World Grand Prix provides another opportunity
Cross now heads into one of the most important stretches of the darts calendar with his confidence seemingly moving in the right direction.
He faces Wessel Nijman in the opening round of the World Grand Prix in Leicester, giving him another opportunity to make an impression on a major stage.
Cross has won four major titles during his career, although his most recent came five years ago at the European Championship.
That gap tells you how difficult it has been for him to maintain the level required to consistently challenge for trophies.
But Cross insists the hunger is returning.
“This year I have played some good stuff to get back. I should be in the TV events for the rest of the year now.”
He added: “I’m working harder and doing a little bit more. It’s tough at the top but also tougher at the bottom. My enjoyment for it went a little bit last year.”
A fresh chapter for Voltage
Cross’s marriage split is obviously a deeply personal matter, but his comments reveal something interesting about the relationship between life away from darts and his performance on the stage.
He has not suggested that the separation magically solved his sporting problems. Instead, his comments point to a more practical change: a clearer routine, better communication with Georgia and more time with his children.
That could prove important as he attempts to rebuild his career.
At 36, Cross still has plenty of darts ahead of him, but his recent ranking struggles show that reputation alone will not keep him among the elite.
For now, though, the signs are encouraging. His relationship with Georgia appears calmer, his family remains his priority and his motivation for darts has returned.
The next step is turning that renewed structure into results.
Cross has already experienced the highest possible achievement in darts by becoming world champion. Now, after a difficult period both personally and professionally, he is trying to rediscover the player who reached the top in the first place.
And if his latest comments are anything to go by, Voltage believes there is still plenty left in the tank.