Cross, 27, was still trying to take it all in yesterday after his sensational 7-2 defeat of Phil ‘The Power’ Taylor in the Ally Pally final on Sunday.
‘Voltage’ spent yesterday morning at his darts sponsor Target in Harlow, dashing between a series of interviews and running on adrenaline. “I didn’t sleep much,” said Cross. “It was a definitely a struggle.”
A professional for only 11 months, Cross is now £400,000 richer after lifting the title on his debut at the William Hill World Championship, knowing the support from his family is one of the major reasons he has become so successful.
Never more so than eight months ago when he was playing in Barnsley and daughter Maddison arrived in the world.
“I missed the birth through darts,” said Cross, who is from Hastings. “The dedication side of it at that time, that early in the year, I had to play everything because I wanted to qualify for the World Matchplay.
“The missus pushed me to do it. I said I would make the birth and she said, ‘No, you can’t, get to the matchplay and try to kick on’. I am very fortunate that my other half, Georgia, is with me, and will push me to do that.”
The former electrician reached the second round of the matchplay, a big step on the path which had seen him rise into the top 20 before his amazing run at the Ally Pally, where he beat defending champion Michael Van Gerwen in the semis and then Taylor in his final match.
He was gushing when talking about his family – they also have a six-year-old son, Leyton, and daughter Imogen, three – and how his life has changed for a man who used to wake up for work at 4.30m but since February has now earned over £600,000 in prizemoney.
Cross said: “I am not good at maths, but to make £400,000 I would probably have to work roughly about 10 years, £40,000 a year with say a bit of overtime. I would have to graft.
“If I didn’t get up in the morning I never got paid. That is tough, but I have been fortunate because Georgia used to work.
“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.
“I get time at home now with the kids; three days, sometimes one day. It is what you do with your time when you get it and make the best of it.”
Darts’ gain is rugby’s loss – Cross opted out of that sport after sustaining a rather delicate testicle injury when he was 17.
“I was okay at it, I enjoyed it. I was No8, back of the scrum, but I took an unfortunate injury,” said Cross. “It was enough to put me off. Use your imagination. I walked like John Wayne for a month!”
Cross will now be a major name in the Premier League when he makes his debut next month and Taylor believes the new champion can create a rivalry with world No1 Van Gerwen. The new champion wants more success.
“I believe I can dominate going forward,” he said. “I still have loads to learn. Winning this will help me greatly as I now know I can win and play well.”
As the former champion retires from the professional game, he is being honoured as the BetVictor World Matchplay Championship trophy, which The Power has lifted 16 times, the last time in July, will be renamed The Phil Taylor Trophy.
PDC chairman Barry Hearn said: “It was a great decision. We owe Phil Taylor a huge amount within the sport of darts.”