Rob Cross
The ultimate darts Cinderella story, who shocked the world by winning the PDC World Championship less than a year after turning professional, dethroning the great Phil Taylor.
Born 1990 (age 36)·English darts player·Birthday: September 21·Millennials
Biography
Rob Cross didn't take the conventional path to darting stardom. While his peers were touring the professional circuit, he was working as an electrician, honing his game in local leagues and dreaming of something more. He finally took the plunge into professional darts in early 2017, a decision that ignited one of the sport's most meteoric rises. Nicknamed 'Voltage', a nod to his former trade, his cool demeanor and relentless scoring power carried him through the ranks at a breathtaking pace. In a story that seemed ripped from a script, he entered the 2018 PDC World Championship as a relative unknown and stormed to the title, defeating the retiring 16-time champion Phil Taylor in a mesmerizing final. This wasn't a fluke; Cross backed it up by reaching world number two and claiming other major titles like the World Matchplay, proving he was a lasting force who redefined what was possible in the modern game.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Rob was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Rob Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Rob's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the PDC World Darts Championship in 2018 in his debut appearance at the tournament.
- Defeated the legendary Phil Taylor 7–2 in sets in Taylor's final professional match to claim the 2018 world title.
- Won the prestigious World Matchplay title in 2019, beating Michael Smith in the final.
- Secured the PDC European Championship title twice, in 2019 and 2021.
Did You Know?
He was a full-time electrician until he qualified for the PDC World Championship in 2017.
His nickname 'Voltage' is a direct reference to his previous career as an electrician.
He used the prize money from his 2018 World Championship win to pay off his mortgage.
“I used to watch this on TV, and now I'm world champion. It's just a dream come true.”
