Channel 7 star Andrew O’Keefe ‘emotionally exhausted, needs a break’
Production on Channel 7 quiz show The Chase has been suspended due to “emotionally exhausted” host Andrew O’Keefe taking a sudden leave of absence to deal with personal issues that have overwhelmed him this year.
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Production on Channel 7 quiz show The Chase has been suspended due to “emotionally exhausted” host Andrew O’Keefe taking a sudden leave of absence to deal with a long-term health crisis.
O’Keefe’s manager Mark Klemens confirmed on Saturday O’Keefe would be on a month’s leave from all his professional commitments to deal with “some personal issues” that have overwhelmed him during the past year.
“Andrew O’Keefe is currently taking some time off from his demanding and busy schedule to regroup and work through some personal issues,” Klemens, of Profile Talent Management, said in a prepared statement.
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“Over the past year or so AOK has had to come to terms with his marriage breakdown among a range of other issues.
“He is emotionally exhausted to say the least and needs this break.
“He is also determined to deal with these issues and is committed to getting back on track as soon as he can.
“He is looking forward to full health and hopefully being back in the studio in a couple of weeks.”
The Chase will run repeat episodes next week.
Klemens said O’Keefe was well supported as he deals with his issues.
“He is a devoted and loving father and cherished son and brother. He is fortunate to have wonderful support around him,” he said.
Last month O’Keefe made headlines after being involved in an altercation with a photographer on the steps of a Sydney courthouse following an appearance after O’Keefe was charged with driving an unregistered vehicle.
O’Keefe pleaded guilty to driving the unregistered vehicle and was given a 12-month good behaviour bond, but he denied any wrongdoing.
In September O’Keefe was the subject of a salacious story after pictures from a private party at a Cairns hotel showing him in an unkempt state, reportedly “very wasted” following a “48-hour bender”, surfaced in a gossip magazine.
“I am not the only person who has gone out and had a big night and done things that in the light of day looks little silly,” O’Keefe said, addressing the article following its publication.
That incident came on the back of reports of an incident in a bathroom at a Channel 7 Christmas party in 2017 that preceded him stepping down as host of Seven’s Weekend Sunrise program after 12 years.
His marriage to wife Eleanor ended soon after.
Eleanor and O’Keefe, who have three children together, have weathered their share of storms together — most notably in 2008 when footage emerged of O’Keefe stumbling and collapsing in a Melbourne gutter after a night out at the Revolver nightclub.
O’Keefe, 47, is the son of deceased justice of the supreme court Barry O’Keefe — the brother of famed Australian rocker Johnny O’Keefe, who died of a drug overdose in 1978.
Like his gifted father and uncle, O’Keefe has proved himself to be a high achiever and was an intellectual property lawyer before trying his luck in television in 2003.
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This led to a succession of hosting TV shows, including Deal or No Deal, Weekend Sunrise and recently The Chase. Until stepping down from Weekend Sunrise in 2017, he was regarded as one of Seven’s brightest stars.
Sources at Seven confirmed on Saturday he is receiving treatment but is unlikely to return to set until mid-May.
Production of the current series of the ITV Studio program is shot weeks in advance and the break was scheduled.