Andrew O’Keefe dumped by Seven

Andrew O’Keefe has been dumped by Channel Seven after 17 years with the network. The decision has come to light since the 49-year-old was arrested and charged earlier this week over an alleged domestic assault.

“Seven is obviously very concerned to read the reports regarding Andrew O’Keefe,” a Seven spokesperson said in a statement, news.com.au reports. “Seven has had a 17-year relationship with Andrew across a number of programs, although he is no longer with the network. As this is a police matter before the courts, we cannot comment further.”

The program hosted by Andrew, The Chase Australia, is not currently in production. It is produced for Seven by ITV Studios Australia, which is expected to resume filming soon, once a decision is made about a future host.

Andrew was arrested in the early hours of Monday morning, when police were called to a unit in Randwick, Sydney, after reports a woman, rumoured to be his girlfriend, had been attacked.

O’Keefe was arrested about 3.30am before being taken to Maroubra Police Station, where he was charged with common assault (DV). The game show host, who is a former chairman of the domestic violence charity the White Ribbon Foundation, was released on police bail and will appear at Waverley Local Court on Thursday.

NSW Police said in a statement on Monday, “Just before 1am, officers from Eastern Beaches Police Area Command attended a Randwick unit, after reports a 41-year-old woman had allegedly been assaulted in a domestic violence related incident. Following inquiries, police arrested a 49-year-old man nearby about 3.30am. He was taken to Maroubra Police Station where he was charged with common assault (DV) and granted conditional bail to appear at Waverley Local Court on Thursday, February 4, 2021.”

The television star has had a tumultuous few years following the breakdown of his marriage to wife Eleanor in 2017. In November 2019, it was revealed that the production of The Chase had been halted for the rest of the year, after host O’Keefe took some time away from the show in order to focus on his mental health. Several months earlier, in April 2019, the television star took a break from filming the hit show to undergo treatment at a mental health clinic.

Starts at 60 has reached out to Seven for comment.