SA sports media host Ken ‘KG’ Cunningham celebrates 80th birthday
SA sport icon Ken ‘KG’ Cunningham is turning 80 today – but he says it feels like just yesterday was his 50th.
Ken “KG” Cunningham has enjoyed a long innings – and there’s plenty more to come.
The SA sports media icon and former state cricketer celebrates his 80th birthday today at home with close family and friends, including daughter Sally and granddaughters Hunter, 15, and Dakota, 13.
“It’s amazing, I have to pinch myself ... in some ways it’s frightening – where have those 80 years gone?” says Cunningham, who also has a son, Scott, and a third granddaughter, Shahtia, 17.
“It seems only yesterday I celebrated my 50th, let alone now being 80. I’ve got to say, I’ve been absolutely blessed.
“I’ve had a wonderful life.”
Cunningham has only one regret: the tragic loss of his soulmate and wife of 52 years, Sandra, who died from lung cancer in 2015.
The TV and radio veteran says it has been a tough four years since her death but he knows she’ll be with him today.
“She’ll be with me in spirit, no doubt,” Cunningham said.
“She’d be telling me, ‘You’re blessed, you’ve had a wonderful lifestyle, you’ve got three beautiful granddaughters, a lovely daughter and son’.
“And you know what I’d be saying to her? ‘Thank you because our daughter looks exactly like you, so I still see you every day’.”
Cunningham pioneered sports talkback radio in SA after making his name on the cricket field and as a SANFL grand final umpire.
He also hosted his own TV footy show, presented Channel 9’s weekend sport for 17 years, and has been inducted into the AFL Media Hall of Fame.
“I got an exemption from school when I was 12 because I had a bad stutter and if somebody had said to me then, that down the track I’d end up working on TV for 50 years and radio for 43, I would have said you’re crazy,” he says.
Still on air as co-host of FIVEaa’s weekend sports show with Graham Cornes, KG’s focus is now firmly on his family.
“They are the most important thing in my life,” he says. “There is something very, very special about being a grandfather. I live my life through them, taking them to school, watching them play sport. They keep me going and they keep me young, too.
“How lucky am I? No one should be that lucky, to be quite frank with you.”