SA radio legend Tony Pilkington returning to FIVEaa in 2020 as Jane Reilly retires

A South Australian radio icon is making a return to the airwaves in 2020 - as another media legend hangs up her microphone.

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South Australian radio legend Tony Pilkington will make a return to the airwaves in 2020.

Pilkington, 75, will host FIVEaa’s weekday afternoons show from January 20, taking over from longtime presenter Alan Hickey.

“I thought long and hard ... and if KG (Cunningham) could make a comeback, so could I,” said Pilkington, referring to veteran broadcaster Cunningham who returned to FIVEaa’s Saturday morning sports show at the age 79.

“I’m really looking forward to coming home to Adelaide and FIVEaa.”

Pilkington’s return comes as longtime FIVEaa host and former Ten weather presenter Jane Reilly announced this morning she was retiring from full-time media work.

Tony Pilkington is returning to FIVEaa.

Jane Reilly at her home in Norwood after announcing her retirement from full-time media work. Picture: Simon Cross

“I’m pretty excited, I can’t stop smiling,” said Reilly, who started at Ten in 1975 before moving to FIVEaa over a decade ago.

“I feel like I’ve done my bit... I’ve had a wonderful career.”

Jane Reilly in 1971 when she was living in Whyalla.

A member of the Australian Radio Hall of Fame, Pilkington retired in 2010 after a long and distinguished career on Australian radio, including almost two decades at FIVEaa.

Pilkington first teamed up with Barry Ion for the hugely popular Bazz & Pilko show, which began on SA radio station 5AD in 1976 and enjoyed an extraordinary run at the top of the radio ratings. The pair took the program to Sydney in 1985 before returning to Adelaide and FIVEaa in 1991.

Pilkington has filled in at the station over summer in recent years but this is his first permanent radio gig in almost 10 years.

Nova 919 brekkie anchor and popular SA sports MC Jarrod Walsh will also make a move to FIVEaa in 2020, joining the drivetime sports show alongside Mark Bickley and Stephen Rowe as anchor.

New FIVEaa drivetime sports show team Stephen Rowe, Jarrod Walsh and Mark Bickley. Picture: Supplied.

“I've grown up listening to the FIVEaa sports show since I was a teenager and to have the opportunity to now be a part the number 1 sports show in Adelaide is literally my dream job,” he said.

“I feel like it’s draft day and I’ve been selected to play for my home team in my home city.”