Rob Cross breaks silence after appearing to make an obscene gesture during shock defeat by Scott Williams at the World Darts Championship – as former champion reveals reasons behind his actions at Ally Pally

Rob Cross has addressed the seemingly obscene gesture he made during Monday’s shock defeat to Scott Williams at the World Darts Championship.

2018 champion Rob Cross crashed out in the second round as he lost to last year’s semi-finalist. 

And much of the focus after the match was one moment rather than the upset itself.

Cross was seen making what looked to be rude gesture to someone in the crowd as he made his way off stage during a break in play.

The Brit appeared to imitate a sexual act and it was all caught on the Sky Sports cameras.

Cross has now broken his silence on both his defeat and the incident, writing on social media: ‘massively disappointed to lose out to my friend Scott Williams. Good luck to him for the rest of the tournament.

WARNING: RUDE CONTENT 

The former world champion insists that he did not mean to cause any offence with the gesture 

Cross won the first set but then lost the following three to last year’s semi-finalist

‘I made a gesture to my manager about how annoyed I was with my performance. If it offended anyone, I apologise. Merry Christmas.’

Williams overcame he odds to reach the last four of the World Championship last year and will now take on Germany’s Ricardo Pietreczko in the third round

Speaking after his win over Cross, he said: ‘It’s so tough, because Rob is one of my closest friends,’ Williams admitted after beating Cross.

‘Neither of us were great tonight, but Rob missed doubles and gave me a chance, so when you get given opportunities, you’ve got to take it. 

‘I’m always confident, regardless of who I’m playing, but I’m just looking forward to having Christmas with the family now.’

He said pre-tournament: ‘People have joked, calling me the Michael Buble of darts because I only turn up in October, November and December! Over the last couple of years, that is about right.

‘I want to try and change that next year by getting into a couple more TV events, just to take my game to the next level. It’s about finding consistency with my practice.’