Fallen star Andrew O’Keefe bailed after alleged drug test arrest

Former game show host and Channel 7 star Andrew O’Keefe has spoken outside court, denying failing a drug test and claiming the swab was contaminated after being arrested for breaching bail.

Fallen TV star Andrew O’Keefe has again been arrested and charged, this time allegedly testing positive for drugs, six months after he was released to rebuild his life in a seaside rehab.

A court heard on Thursday afternoon he denies testing positive to drugs.

Officers knocked on the door of O’Keefe’s Vaucluse unit and spoke with the 51-year-old on Thursday, NSW Police said in a statement.

The police were there to give O’Keefe a drug test — knowing he must produce a negative result to comply with his release conditions and to stay out of handcuffs.

O’Keefe was swabbed and returned a positive result for methamphetamine and cocaine, police allege, before he was arrested and taken to Waverley Police Station.

Former Channel 7 star Andrew O'Keefe after receiving bail at Waverley Local Court on Thursday. Picture: Jeremy Piper

The former Deal or No Deal host was charged with breaching his bail and taken next door to face a magistrate at Waverley Local Court.

He was unshaven, wearing a blue T-shirt and downcast as he sat in the dock.

O’Keefe emerges from the police station after receiving bail. Picture: Jeremy Piper

His barrister, Sebastian De Brennan, told the court the drug swab was contaminated and O’Keefe denied the breach.

Mr De Brennan told the court O’Keefe’s friend had been spotted leaving the home and was found with illegal drugs.

Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge granted O’Keefe bail at 4pm.

Outside court, O’Keefe told reporters he was “at a disadvantage” and had been unable to pass on information to his own side in the case.

“You don’t get to hear the story. The thing about the justice system is that we get no time to prepare as the defendant,” O’Keefe said.

“And you’re at a distinct disadvantage about getting the facts to even your own people. I was unable to give facts to my own people.”

When asked by media if he had cocaine, Mr O’Keefe said, “No.”

Mr O’Keefe was questioned as to why cocaine was allegedly found in his system, he claimed that the findings were contaminated.

“That’s what we discovered in court today. There was a high probability of … contamination.”

He reiterated the swab was contaminated before leaving in a taxi.

O’Keefe spent months behind bars, on remand, after he was arrested in January and charged with allegedly attacking a 38-year-old woman.

O’Keefe enters a taxi after speaking with reporters outside court. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Police allege O’Keefe had assaulted and choked her in a Sydney CBD unit.

O’Keefe has since pleaded not guilty to six charges including intentionally choking, common assault and assault causing actual bodily harm.

O’Keefe was bailed from Silverwater five months later, in May 2022, by the NSW Supreme Court.

Justice Robert Hulme said the star had descended into an “erratic and chaotic” life but believed a stay at a rehab centre mitigated the risks of releasing O’Keefe.

O’Keefe was to spend six to 12 months at the centre, near Port Stephens, alongside other men who were trying to overcome the demons of drug and alcohol abuse.

It was O’Keefe’s 10th stint in rehab.

O’Keefe referred to his camp-mates as his “band of brothers” and swept up around the facility while staying in a $700 a fortnight cabin.

O’Keefe formerly hosted Seven’s The Chase

Magistrate Millege said there was benefit for O’Keefe to continue with rehab, and said he would need to continue to see his psychologists each week, must stay in NSW and steer clear of drugs and alcohol.

“I agree, your honour,” O’Keefe replied.

O’Keefe will have to appear in Sydney Downing Centre on December 14, and again in February for a hearing into his charges.

His bail conditions include weekly drug screening tests, beginning on Friday.

Police will also be able to direct him to undertake another test if they reasonably suspect he consumed drugs in breach of his bail.