Andrew O’Keefe charges: Inside the sad story of fallen Seven star

One-time Channel Seven star Andrew O’Keefe was filmed kicking and screaming in the back of a police van on Thursday, after being charged with assault.

It was just the latest in a long line of sad scandals for the former Deal or No Deal host, who used to be one of Australia’s most popular TV presenters.

From once being appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his extensive television and charity work to Thursday’s outburst, the 50-year-old has had a difficult journey over recent years.

Decline: Thursday’s outburst in the back of a police van by Andrew O’Keefe (pictured in 2019) was just the latest in a long line of sad scandals for the former Deal or No Deal host

January 2022 assault allegations

O’Keefe was charged on Thursday over allegations he choked, punched and kicked a woman at his city centre bachelor pad.

Police allege the former host of The Chase Australia assaulted the 38-year-old woman after meeting her to discuss starting a business together at his unit on Kent Street in the Sydney CBD on Tuesday.

O’Keefe was refused bail on Thursday afternoon and taken away to a police cell, with Daily Mail Australia capturing confronting footage of a handcuffed O’Keefe shouting obscenities and kicking the walls of a police van, telling officers to ‘get rid of the journalists’.

‘F*** you, I’m a victim of crime. I’m a victim of crime you f***wits. F*** off,’ he screamed as he repeatedly kicked the windows of the vehicle’s cell. 

Fallen hero: O'Keefe was charged on Thursday over allegations he choked, punched and kicked a woman at his city centre bachelor pad. (Pictured hosting The Chase Australia)

Fallen hero: O’Keefe was charged on Thursday over allegations he choked, punched and kicked a woman at his city centre bachelor pad. (Pictured hosting The Chase Australia)

Outburst: O'Keefe was refused bail on Thursday afternoon and taken away to a police cell, with Daily Mail Australia capturing confronting footage of a handcuffed O'Keefe shouting obscenities and kicking the walls of a police van

'F*** you, I'm a victim of crime. I'm a victim of crime you f***wits. F*** off,' he screamed as he repeatedly kicked the windows of the vehicle's cell

Outburst: O’Keefe was refused bail on Thursday afternoon and taken away to a police cell, with Daily Mail Australia capturing confronting footage of a handcuffed O’Keefe shouting obscenities and kicking the walls of a police van (pictured above)

Old job: O'Keefe used to be one of Seven's biggest stars. He is pictured here in August 2006 with two 'briefcase girls' during his days hosting afternoon game show Deal or No Deal

Old job: O’Keefe used to be one of Seven’s biggest stars. He is pictured here in August 2006 with two ‘briefcase girls’ during his days hosting afternoon game show Deal or No Deal

Police will allege O’Keefe had invited the woman over to his apartment in Sydney’s CBD on Tuesday afternoon to have a business discussion before the meeting turned violent.

‘A verbal argument ensued between the pair, before the man allegedly assaulted the woman – grabbing her by the throat, pushing her to the ground and punching her,’ a police spokesman said.

O’Keefe then allegedly assaulted the woman a second time by punching and kicking her.

The woman then left the unit and reported the alleged assault on Wednesday, police said.

On Thursday afternoon police confirmed they had charged O’Keefe with two counts of intentionally choking a person without consent, three counts of common assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Business: Police will allege O'Keefe (pictured June 2021) had invited the woman over to his apartment in Sydney's CBD on Tuesday afternoon to have a business discussion before the meeting turned violent

Business: Police will allege O’Keefe (pictured June 2021) had invited the woman over to his apartment in Sydney’s CBD on Tuesday afternoon to have a business discussion before the meeting turned violent

2021 assault allegations

In January 2021, O’Keefe was charged with slapping, kicking and spitting on his doctor girlfriend in a row over an ice pipe she claimed he was carrying at a party.  

He appeared before Sydney’s Waverley Local Court on June 25, charged with three counts of assaulting his ex-lover of two years, Dr Orly Lavee.

Two of the charges, which occurred at their home in Randwick, were dismissed on mental health grounds – although his lawyers indicated he would have otherwise pleaded guilty to them.

A third assault charge related to an alleged incident at Kangaroo Valley earlier in the year was withdrawn by prosecutors.

The court heard Mr O’Keefe, who suffers bipolar and substance abuse disorders, was in a ‘hyper-manic’ state during his dispute with Dr Lavee at their home on January 30 after the couple attended a birthday party in Surry Hills.

Magistrate Ross Hudson found Mr O’Keefe was remorseful and contrite. 

Incident: In January 2021, O'Keefe was charged with slapping, kicking and spitting on his girlfriend Dr Orly Lavee in a row over an ice pipe she claimed he was carrying at a party. Two of the charges were dismissed on mental health grounds and a third assault charge related to an alleged incident at Kangaroo Valley earlier in the year was withdrawn by prosecutors. (O'Keefe is pictured here in 2012 with now ex-wife Eleanor Campbell)

Incident: In January 2021, O’Keefe was charged with slapping, kicking and spitting on his girlfriend Dr Orly Lavee in a row over an ice pipe she claimed he was carrying at a party. Two of the charges were dismissed on mental health grounds and a third assault charge related to an alleged incident at Kangaroo Valley earlier in the year was withdrawn by prosecutors. (O’Keefe is pictured here in 2012 with now ex-wife Eleanor Campbell)

Sad: Following the assault allegations, Channel Seven dumped O'Keefe and replaced him as host of The Chase Australia with Larry Emdur. Pictured in February 2021

Sad: Following the assault allegations, Channel Seven dumped O’Keefe and replaced him as host of The Chase Australia with Larry Emdur. Pictured in February 2021

Following the assault allegations, Channel Seven dumped Andrew and replaced him as host of The Chase Australia with Larry Emdur.

In February, Seven confirmed he was no longer with the network and said it was ‘very concerned’ about the charges. 

Then in September of that same year, O’Keefe pleaded not guilty to domestic violence charges, with a court hearing police have ‘extensive footage’ of the night he allegedly assaulted a woman in a separate matter. 

During the confrontation Mr O’Keefe allegedly became aggressive and then spat at the woman and scratched her arm.

He then felt dizzy and short of breath and was transported to hospital for assessment but was later arrested.

He spent the night at Surry Hills Police Station. 

A hearing for that matter is set for August 2022. 

Heights: In 2017, O'Keefe was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his charity work, namely as chairman of White Ribbon Australia, an organisation whose stated goal is to help eradicate violence against women. Seen here in 2003

Heights: In 2017, O’Keefe was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his charity work, namely as chairman of White Ribbon Australia, an organisation whose stated goal is to help eradicate violence against women. Seen here in July 2003

Tired: Andrew displayed rather unusual behaviour during coverage of convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby's return to Australia on Weekend Sunrise in May 2017

Tired: Andrew displayed rather unusual behaviour during coverage of convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby’s return to Australia on Weekend Sunrise in May 2017

Erratic behaviour during coverage of Schapelle Corby’s return to Australia

O’Keefe displayed rather unusual behaviour during coverage of convicted drug smuggler Schapelle Corby’s return to Australia on Weekend Sunrise in May 2017.

The former lawyer looked tired during the live broadcast and, at times, his speech appeared to be slurred.

He struggled to find the right words, slouched in his chair and occasionally burst out into laughter. 

That same year, O’Keefe was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his charity work, namely as chairman of White Ribbon Australia, an organisation whose stated goal is to help eradicate violence against women.  

Worrying: In November 2008, video footage was obtained by The Herald Sun that saw Andrew trying to smoke a cigarette all while stumbling and collapsing into a gutter

Worrying: In November 2008, video footage was obtained by The Herald Sun that saw Andrew trying to smoke a cigarette all while stumbling and collapsing into a gutter

Collapsing into a gutter after a night out in Melbourne 

In November 2008, video footage was obtained by The Herald Sun that saw Andrew trying to smoke a cigarette all while stumbling and collapsing into a gutter.

The TV personality had been enjoying a night out drinking at Melbourne nightclub Revolver, well into the early hours of the morning.

The clip saw a blonde companion attempting to help him.

Seven soon went into damage control, releasing a statement insisting O’Keefe was ‘a family man’ and that he ‘never set out to deliberately offend anyone’. 

Statement: In February, Seven confirmed O'Keefe was no longer with the network and said it was 'very concerned' about the charges. Pictured in 2019

Statement: In February, Seven confirmed O’Keefe was no longer with the network and said it was ‘very concerned’ about the charges. Pictured in 2019

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