Ken SutcliffeOAM(born 15 November 1947) is anAustralianretired sporting journalist and radio and television personality, known for his association with theNine Network.
Ken Sutcliffe OAM | |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 November 1947 Oberon,New South Wales,Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Other names | The Male Model from Mudgee[1] |
| Occupation | Retired sports broadcaster |
| Years active | 1966–2016 |
| Employer(s) | Retired (formerlyNine Network) |
| Known for | Wide World of Sports Nine News |
| Spouse | Anne Sutcliffe |
| Children | Rachael, Simone, Scott[2] |
Biography
editEarly life and career
editThis section of abiography of a living personneeds additionalcitationsforverification.(February 2021) |
Sutcliffe was born inOberon,New South Walesand grew up inMudgeewhere he started his radio career in 1966, followed by a stint as a general announcer at 2LF Young, and began work on television as a newsreader on local station CBN-8 Orange.[3]He joinedTNQ-7in Townsville during the mid-1970s
He made his television debut in 1982, hostingBedtime stories with Ken and Dazalongside cohostDarrell Eastlake.The show only lasted 8 episodes.[4]
Nine Network Sport Broadcaster
editSutcliffe first joined theNine Networkin 1979 at station TCN9-Sydney, appearing inWorld of SportwithRon Caseyand became the main sports presenter on the Nine Network TCN-9 Sydney's evening news in 1988 following the departure ofMike GibsontoNetwork Ten.[5]and remained in that role until his retirement and final Nine News sports report on 8 December 2016.
Sutcliffe was a long-time host of theNine Network'sWide World of Sportsproductions, initially joining the programme in 1982. After a year as a co-host onGraham Kennedy's late night news programme in 1988, he rejoinedWWOSas host in 1989.
During his time withWide World of Sportsand Nine News, Sutcliffe hosted coverage of and reported on theSummer OlympicsinLos Angeles(1984) andLondon(2012), theAmerica's Cupdefence in Fremantle (1987), and theWinter OlympicsinCalgary(1988),Albertville(1992),Lillehammer(1994) andVancouver(2010).[5]
He hosted fourCommonwealth Gamesfor the network:Brisbanein 1982,Aucklandin 1990,Kuala Lumpurin 1998, andMelbournein 2006.
In addition he presentedWimbledonfor 20 years, theUS Open Tennis Championshipsfor more than a decade, and was inAugusta, Georgiain 1997 hosting theMasterstelecast whenTiger Woodsbroke through for his historic victory (he also hosted eight other Masters telecasts).
Sutcliffe hostedRugby League Grand Finalsand theState of Originseries, as well as theUS Open Golf,the Pan Pacific and Olympic swimming trials plus the World Swimming Championships in Japan and the Brisbane Goodwill Games.
On 2 November 2016, Sutcliffe announced he would retire from his role asNine Newssports editor andNine News Sydneysport presenter at the end of the year. He was replaced byCameron Williams.[6]
Awards and honours
editIn 2014, he was awardedAustralian Sports Commission Media Award for Lifetime Achievement
Sutcliffe was awarded theMedal of the Order of Australia(OAM) in the2019 Queen's Birthday Honoursfor "service to the broadcast media, particularly to television".[7]
Other media
editMemoirs
editSutcliffe published a book of memoirs in 2009,The Wide World of Ken Sutcliffe.[8]
The Twelfth Man
editHe was a featured character inThe Twelfth Man's comedy productions, with the story-line being that he was the most handsome of theWWOSand Commentary Team presenters — the "male model from Mudgee", sighed over by the wives ofRichie BenaudandMax Walker.Sutcliffe (his main rival) is kidnapped by Walker as the latter tries to rejoin the Commentary Team.[1]The only voiceBilly Birminghamdid not do himself was that of Sutcliffe — it was Sutcliffe himself who voiced his character.[9]
References
edit- ^abBirmingham, Billy."Max Walker dies, 12th Man tribute: Billy Birmingham says goodbye to Big Maxy".Daily Telegraph.News Limited.Retrieved2 November2016.
- ^"Ken Sutcliffe".ICMI Speakers & Entertainers.Retrieved2 November2016.
- ^"Ken Sutcliffe".Celebrity Speakers.Retrieved2 November2016.
- ^"Retirement".
- ^ab"Ken Sutcliffe".Nine Network Australia.Retrieved2 November2016.
- ^Styles, Aja (2 November 2016)."Nine News sports presenter Ken Sutcliffe announces retirement".Sydney Morning Herald.Fairfax Media.Retrieved2 November2016.
- ^"Kenneth Sutcliffe".honours.pmc.gov.au.Retrieved11 June2019.
- ^Sutcliffe, Ken; Heads, Ian (2009).The Wide World of Ken Sutcliffe.Sydney: Allen & Unwin.ISBN9781741757903.
- ^"The 12th Man v Warney".YouTube.27 November 2013.Archivedfrom the original on 22 December 2021.Retrieved2 November2016.