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The 2024 World Darts Championship will get underway this evening as thousands of fans flock to Alexandra Palace to watch the best players on the planet in action.

One man looking to get his hands on the Sid Waddell Trophy for the second time is Rob Cross following his maiden triumph at the event in 2018. The 33-year-old has played his way into form this year after finishing runner-up at the Masters and Grand Slam of Darts, and has high hopes of going all the way at Ally Pally once more.

The former champion recently popped in to Mail Sport’s offices to throw his support behind this year’s tournament sponsor Paddy Power’s pledge to donate £1,000 for every 180 hit in a bid to tackle prostate cancer.

There were 901 maximums nailed in 2023, and with that figure only likely to rise this year, Paddy Power could be set to donate around £1million over the next three weeks for a great cause.

During his visit, Cross answered quickfire questions sent in by the public, as he revealed his dream partner on the oche, delivered his verdict on whether a nine-darter is more difficult than a 147 break in snooker, and opened up on the one player on tour he loves to beat ahead of his latest bid for world title glory.

Rob Cross won the World Championship in 2018, and is going for his second title this year

Rob Cross won the World Championship in 2018, and is going for his second title this year

Cross came into Mail Sport's offices to show his support for Paddy Power's pledge to donate money to tackle prostate cancer at this year's tournament

Cross came into Mail Sport’s offices to show his support for Paddy Power’s pledge to donate money to tackle prostate cancer at this year’s tournament

He threw darts with Mail Sport employees and answered quickfire questions from the public

He threw darts with Mail Sport employees and answered quickfire questions from the public

Cross has found good form in recent months and is looking to go all the way at Ally Pally

Cross has found good form in recent months and is looking to go all the way at Ally Pally

At their peak who was better – Phil Taylor or Michael van Gerwen? 

Rob Cross: Phil. He dominated for years and I know maybe the field wasn’t as good, but Phil, for me, was massive. 

He was like my hero and (I was) watching him as a kid, so I’d have to pick him and be a little bit biased.

Cross believes Phil Taylor (pictured) is better than Michael van Gerwen when comparing both men at their peaks

Cross believes Phil Taylor (pictured) is better than Michael van Gerwen when comparing both men at their peaks

If you had to go fancy dress to Ally Pally, what costume would you go in? 

Rob Cross: I’m a bit of a fool so I’d probably go as a clown or something, just try and fit in then. Dance on the tables, enjoy your night and go home with a headache!

Ally Pally is famous for its fancy dress when the darts comes to town, and Cross has revealed he would like to go as a clown if he went as a fan

Ally Pally is famous for its fancy dress when the darts comes to town, and Cross has revealed he would like to go as a clown if he went as a fan

Which is hardest – nine-darter in darts, a hole in one in golf or a 147 break in snooker?

Rob Cross: I’ll be biased to the nine-darter obviously, with 15,000 screaming behind you, but I think probably the hardest one, yeah, the 147. It’s a lot more shots and the cue ball control. 

I’d love to be biased to the darts. I think the golf is more luck than judgement. Yeah, 147 (is the hardest).

If you had to play doubles with a sportsperson from another sport, who would you play with? 

Rob Cross: Probably Roger Federer. It would be nice just to meet (him). 

It’s a bit illustrious, I’d probably never get the chance, but yeah, how amazing would that be? Just to stand in a room with him. He’s just amazing.

Cross would love the chance to team up with tennis legend Roger Federer on the oche

Cross would love the chance to team up with tennis legend Roger Federer on the oche

If the World Championship had to be moved away from Ally Pally, what would be the one venue you’d love to take it to?

Rob Cross: Just my back garden so I don’t have to travel too far! That would be perfect. I’d even put a cow shed in or whatever they wanted, I’m happy. That would definitely be it. 

Who is the one person in darts that you love to beat? 

I like beating Gezzy (Gerwyn Price) because we’re always having a bit of banter. He gives it me, I give it him. It’s a bit to and fro. 

I think I beat him in New Zealand, I let him have it a couple of times. But he always likes paying back in kind, so it’s a good bit of banter on tour.

Cross loves getting the better of Welshman Gerwyn Price (pictured) when they play each other

Cross loves getting the better of Welshman Gerwyn Price (pictured) when they play each other

The iconic referee Russ Bray is retiring after this year’s tournament. If you could pick one person to replace him, who would it be? 

We’ve got great referees. Kirk Bevins, Huw Ware. I think he’s (Bray) a bit irreplaceable with his voice and being iconic and being different.

I like Kirk Bevins actually. He’s a good caller. He can count quicker than me and all! Countdown champion, you know. He’s pretty spot on.

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This post first appeared on Daily mail