Rob Cross emerged from the wreckage after admitting his career had been like a written-off car and warned: “I'm ready to go again.”
In the five years since he became a world champion on his debut at Alexandra Palace, the former electrician from Hastings has been through more damage than a demolition derby. From the heartbreak of losing his grandfather to Covid during lockdown, to wildly oscillating form and the death of a long-time darts pal on Christmas Day, life has not been a straight line for Cross since he sent Phil 'The Power' Taylor into retirement with a stunning 7-2 triumph here.
But watched from the posh seats by former Manchester United striker and Homes Under The Hammer presenter Dion Dublin, Cross took a wrecking-ball to Mervyn King in a manner reminiscent of his charge to glory in January 2018.
