Mervyn King, a two-time Lakeside World Championship finalist, was reported bankrupt in March 2025, with a tax debt to HMRC put at more than £500,000. In his own account, he did not understand that tax was due on his darts prize money. The debt figure and his explanation come from press interviews and secondary reports, not from an official insolvency record, so each claim below is tied to the source that made it.
Who the headline refers to
We could not locate the original article carrying the headline “I Was a Two-Time World Darts Finalist – Now I’m Bankrupt.” The account matches Mervyn King, who reached the final of the Lakeside World Darts Championship twice. The identification rests on the details reported in the coverage listed below, which all name King as the player involved. Readers should treat the attribution as a reasonable match to the reporting rather than a confirmed link to the original interview.
What has been reported, and when
Three outlets have covered the story. They differ in date and in how much they rely on King’s own words.
| Source | Date of report | What it says | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| DartsNews | 10 March 2025 | King was declared bankrupt on 5 March 2025, with tax debt above £500,000 | Interview with SunSport, as reported by DartsNews |
| SportBible | 13 March 2026 | King describes an “earth-shattering” tax bill and bankruptcy; says he did not know tax was due on darts prize money; puts the HMRC debt at £500,000 | Interview with Tungsten Tales; this is King’s stated explanation |
| LiveDarts | Date not stated in the coverage reviewed | Says King was declared bankrupt in March and owed HMRC more than £500,000, in coverage of Rob Cross | Secondary report; not an official insolvency record |
The two dated reports are a year apart. The 2026 piece revisits an event first reported in 2025 rather than announcing a new one, so the bankruptcy date to use is the one given in 2025 reporting: 5 March 2025.
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The debt: what is established and what is not
The figure of more than £500,000 appears in every report, but it is repeated across outlets that appear to draw on the same few interviews. It should not be read as an independently verified balance. No official insolvency record, HMRC statement, or court document was located to confirm the amount, the tax years involved, or whether the sum includes penalties and interest.
The reports also do not say which part of the UK the bankruptcy was made under. England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate insolvency regimes, so the formal process and the public record would differ depending on where King lived and was declared.
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What the reporting does support is narrower: King has described a tax bill connected to darts earnings that he says he did not expect, and he has said the bankruptcy followed from it. Whether he was treated as a self-employed professional, what he declared in each year, and whether HMRC disputed any of it are not covered in the reports.
Why darts prize money can create a tax bill
Many players assume prize money is paid gross and that tax is someone else’s problem. In the UK, the position depends on how the player is classed for tax, not on the sport itself. Broadly:
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- A player earning a living from competition is often treated as self-employed, which means their earnings can be taxable income reported through Self Assessment.
- Occasional winnings can be treated differently from regular trading income, so the classification matters for what must be declared.
- Prize money is usually paid without deduction, so no tax has been taken off before the player receives it.
- Expenses, sponsorship income and prize money are all part of the same picture, and each year’s position can change.
Because the classification question is specific to each player, anyone in this position should check their status with HMRC or a qualified accountant rather than assume the answer from a headline.
How a tax debt can end in bankruptcy
A tax bill that goes unpaid does not automatically lead to bankruptcy. HMRC generally works through a sequence of reminders, penalties and attempts to agree payment before it considers formal action. A creditor, HMRC included, can apply to make an individual bankrupt when a debt is owed and remains unpaid, but that step usually follows a long period of unpaid demands rather than a single missed payment.
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HMRC can also agree a Time to Pay arrangement, which spreads a tax debt into instalments. Whether King was offered or used such an arrangement is not stated in the reports. Anyone facing a large bill should contact HMRC early, because the options narrow as the debt ages.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What King has said
DartsNews attributes the following remark to King: “I hid my head in the sand.” The original interview transcript was not located, so the wording and surrounding context should be checked against the original before the line is quoted. Taken with his later account to Tungsten Tales, the remark suggests he avoided dealing with the bill rather than being unaware of it altogether, though the reports do not spell out that distinction.
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Practical lessons for players and anyone paid in prize money
The reported case points to a sequence that any self-employed earner can follow to avoid the same outcome.
- Confirm your tax status with HMRC or an accountant as soon as you start earning from competition, not after the first large cheque.
- Register for Self Assessment if your earnings may be taxable and check the filing deadlines that apply to you.
- Keep every prize payment, expense receipt and sponsorship agreement in one place, organised by tax year.
- Set aside a percentage of each payment for tax as it arrives, rather than waiting for the bill.
- If a bill arrives that you cannot pay, contact HMRC before the debt grows and ask about Time to Pay arrangements.
- Do not ignore letters. The reported case suggests avoidance is the most expensive response.
The story is still developing in the sense that the official position has not been published. Readers who want the authoritative record should look for any court or insolvency register entry in the relevant jurisdiction, and for any statement from King or HMRC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has HMRC confirmed the £500,000 debt?
Not in the reports reviewed. The figure appears in press coverage that relies on interviews and secondary reporting. No HMRC statement or official insolvency record confirming the balance was found.
Does a tax bill always lead to bankruptcy?
No. Unpaid tax usually goes through reminders, penalties and attempts to agree payment before any creditor applies for bankruptcy. Early contact with HMRC, including a Time to Pay arrangement, is the usual route to avoid that outcome.
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Are all darts prize winnings taxable in the UK?
Not automatically. Whether prize money is taxable depends on how the player is classed for tax, such as self-employed or occasional winnings. Check your position with HMRC or an accountant.
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