CHANNEL 9 sports stalwart Ken Sutcliffe has pulled stumps on his 50 year broadcasting career, announcing his retirement during the 6pm bulletin.

The 68-year-old, known to fans as “the male model from Mudgee” shared the news at the end of his sport’s segment, wrapping the announcement of his 37 years at Nine in just 20 seconds.

Sutcliffe, who is the face of Nine’s sporting news and Wide World Of Sports programming is expected to leave the network at the end of this year but farewelled the WWOS audience last Sunday where he gave out the annual Kenny awards for sports best and worst.

The married father of three and grandfather said he looked “forward to playing sport instead of just watching it” and travelling the world with is wife, Anne.’

Former Weekend Today show co-host Cameron Williams will take the 6pm sports news role, while Michael Slater recently re-signed a three-year deal which includes hosting WWOS.

Getting his on-air farewell “done and dusted in 20 seconds,” Sutcliffe said in a statement: “I have always said you retire while they still want you and that’s the case at Nine. I have worked with and alongside some of the giants of Australian television including Brian Henderson, Graham Kennedy and Ray Warren. After 50 years of broadcasting it’s time for new challenges which I am looking forward to, including living in Mudgee and travelling with my wife Anne.”

Sydney news anchor Peter Overton praised Sutcliffe for his extraordinary contribution to not only Australian television but for mentoring so many journalists and presenters at Channel Nine.

“I will miss his warmth, friendship, sparkling smile and laugh, as will the millions who have got to know Ken so well over the decades via their TVs. Ken is a rolled-gold Australian television legend,” Overton said.

Sutcliffe returned the compliment, describing his time “working with [Overton], a dear friend, has been a joy.”

He hinted there may be guest appearances ahead, taking advantage of Nine’s “open door policy,” with a visibly teary Overton telling his colleague he would “always have a place here.”

Nine’s head of sport, Tom Malone paid tribute to Sutcliffe for his “huge legacy of professionalism while having fun. He’s a legend of our industry and he’s been the centre piece of Wide World of Sports for decades. He’s mentored so many of us over the years. (I remember buying his chicken burgers for lunch back in the 1990s as a cadet).

Malone said: “he did his homework, knew his stuff, made broadcasting look easy, and always had a kind word and a laugh for his fellow broadcasters and the production crew. He has a great sense of fun and irreverence. He’s a great team man, and we’ll miss him greatly. Has there ever been a greater twinkle in the eye than Ken’s?”

Sutcliffe’s successor Williams said: “like anyone who loves sport and TV I was saddened to hear Ken is calling time on his wonderful career. We have spoken at length and he was as kind and encouraging as he was the first day we met. It’s an honour to be asked to sit in his chair alongside Pete Overton five nights a week and continue a tradition of breaking news to Nine viewers.”

He joins one of the most exclusive clubs in Australian television history: with only three other sports anchors holding the position before him — Ron Casey, Mike Gibson and Ken Sutcliffe.

Many Nine stars sent their messages of thanks, and tributes to Sutcliffe on social media after he announced his retirement.

Congrats @Ken_Sutcliffe on a brilliant innings. We're going to miss seeing you every night on @9NewsSyd Thanks for the memories ! — BenFordham (@BenFordham) November 2, 2016

It's an honour to have worked alongside the great @Ken_Sutcliffe .. an absolute legend of the game. I will miss you, mate. And those eyes 😍 — Peter Stefanovic (@peterstefanovic) November 2, 2016

Top bloke, great journo and a mentor to all. @Ken_Sutcliffe . that hair , those eyes , matchless from Mudgee. — Mark Burrows (@MarkWBurrows) November 2, 2016

To my mentor, co-host, Sport Dad & above all, my mate @Ken_Sutcliffe - congrats on an incredible a career. A legend! Thanks for everything x — Emma Freedman (@emma_freedman) November 2, 2016

One of the hardest working anchors ever to turn up on our telly and boy could he tell a yarn @Ken_Sutcliffe I'll miss ya there! i said it! — Damian Ryan (@DamoNews) November 2, 2016

One of the greats. Congrats on a brilliant career, @Ken_Sutcliffe. We'll miss the snap and crackle of your scripts and those baby blues. — Airlie Walsh (@AirlieWalsh) November 2, 2016

It's with a heavy heart we say goodbye and thank you to the wonderful @Ken_Sutcliffe and a warm welcome back to @camjwilliams 📺 — Yvonne Sampson (@yvonnesampson) November 2, 2016

Driven, dashing and a ripper bloke. They don't come better than @Ken_Sutcliffe. Congrats on a great career. Thank you. #icon #kenny — Danny Weidler (@Danny_Weidler) November 2, 2016

Dear @Ken_Sutcliffe you have been a true gentleman and a legend. Thanks for all your support. What a brilliant career. https://t.co/j05oSSVsLC — David Campbell (@DavidCampbell73) November 2, 2016

Email: holly.byrnes@news.com.au

Twitter: @byrnesh