Rob Cross

“Being a world champion was great, don't get me wrong, but it also caused me a lot of problems.”

“In life you cannot expect things to fall into your lap, you have got to work hard.”

“If you have an ache or pain, or if you don't feel well, get yourself checked.”

“My wife looked after children with disabilities. She is brilliant at it. I admire her because I could not do it, it would be heart-wrenching. It takes a real sort of person to do that and not get attached because I would.”

“Without my family, it wouldn't have been possible to do what I have done. They know I play darts for them - that everything is to give them a better life.”

“Since having three kids, and the responsibility that goes with it, I know what it's like to graft for money.”

“The money is obviously life-changing in lots of ways. But I'll always be the same Rob Cross.”

“I was just a working boy from a normal household.”

“There is no reason why women cannot be as good as the men.”

“I was never a big traveller - if I wasn't working, I would have a job to get out of my own postcode.”

“Obviously going from an electrician to doing what I do now, the money is great. I can go on holidays now and do different things.”

“It's all about doing the right things at the right times and I believe I can win everything.”

“I want to look after myself and have a long-lasting career if I can. I want it in my hands and choose when I want to stop playing. I also want to be around for my kids to watch them grow up.”

“This game is a profession now, it's not a hobby any more. You can earn great money and there are loads of people earning a living out of the game.”

“Darts in such a little time has really changed my life.”

“When you win the Worlds, everyone expects a little bit more which is fair enough, but just the first crack of a whole year doing all the World Series and the Premier League; it adds up.”

“Just in myself the motivation side of it, maybe just being a little bit more aggressive to get something out of myself a little bit more. I definitely play better with it.”

“What do you want? It's a massive question in life and I wanted to win the world championship and provide for my family.”

“You always get to stages where you need to hit something with one dart left in your hand. That determines all of us, whether we win or lose. Obviously it's all mental, how mentally strong you can be to deal with that pressure.”

“When the crowd's against you, sometimes that can spur you on alone.”