Veteran sports presenter Ken Sutcliffe will call time on his decorated 50-year broadcasting career at the end of 2016.
Sutcliffe announced he was set to retire in December after delivering the sports report on Nine News on Wednesday night in Sydney.
"I've been thinking about it for some time and believe this is the perfect moment to move on from a job I've loved so much," said an emotional Sutcliffe.
"I can't wait to spend more time with my grandchildren, play a bit of sport rather than watch it and travel with my wife Anne.
Turning 69 this month, Sutcliffe has been a familiar face in Australian lounge rooms since beginning his TV career with Darrell Eastlake co-hosting "Bedtime stories with Ken & Daz" in 1982.
The program, which featured Sutcliffe and Eastlake interviewing sports stars in pyjamas, only lasted eight episodes.
Sutcliffe, nicknamed the Male Model from Mudgee, has since been a long-time host of the Nine Network's Wide World of Sports productions and its chief sports presenter for three-and-a-half decades.
In addition, he has covered numerous Olympic Games, golf majors and tennis grand slams.
Nine news anchor Peter Overton greeted Sutcliffe's announcement with a glowing tribute for his outgoing colleague.
"A mighty half-century if there ever was one," Overton said.
"It's an emotional time for all of us. You've been such a great friend and mentor and carer for us all here at Nine and we're going to miss you so much. We love you."
Cameron Williams will replace Sutcliffe, according to Nine.
