Former publicist shares post on social media defending Andrew O’Keefe

A former publicist has come to the defence of Andrew O’Keefe after the ex-game show host was accused of choking, kicking and punching a woman.

A former publicist has defended Andrew O’Keefe after the ex-game show host was today accused of choking, punching and kicking a female business partner.

O’Keefe, 50, has been charged with six offences over the alleged assault of the 38-year-old woman at a Kent St apartment in the Sydney CBD on Tuesday afternoon.

Police will allege O’Keefe grabbed the woman — believed to be his business partner — by the throat before punching and kicking her.

“A verbal argument ensued between the pair, before the man allegedly assaulted the woman,” police said.

“The man allegedly assaulted the woman a second time – punching and kicking her – before she left the unit.”

A police complaint was made on Wednesday and O’Keefe was charged about 4pm on Thursday.

Andrew O'Keefe is pictured in the back of a police wagon departing Day St Police Station in Sydney. The former TV host has been arrested over an alleged assault of a woman. Picture: Liam Mendes / The Australian

Andrew O'Keefe wears the white ribbon as part of his role as White Ribbon ambassador.

He has been charged with two counts of intentionally choking a person without consent, three counts of common assault, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

A PR specialist, who previously worked with Mr O’Keefe, wrote in an Instagram post on Thursday: “Plenty of people salivating today over the ‘fall from grace’ of a TV star.”

She continued: “Violence can never be condoned. But I know and adore the real him. One of my favourite ever work colleagues. This isn’t who he actually is and really hope he gets through it.”

The post was liked by dozens of people including actors Daniel Macpherson and Natalie Bassingthwaighte, as well as former Studio 10 panellist Jessica Rowe.

It comes after confronting footage emerged of Mr O’Keefe screaming and shouting from the back of a police van.

Andrew O’Keefe will face court on Friday accused of assaulting a woman in a Sydney apartment. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Gaye Gerard

The apartment block in Sydney where former game show host Andrew O’Keefe is accused of assaulting a woman. Picture: Damian Shaw

The former ambassador for anti-domestic violence organisation White Ribbon has been charged with six offences over the alleged assault of a woman in Sydney and will face court on Friday.

A photo shows O’Keefe wearing red pants and a dark jumper in the back of a police vehicle.

In a video believed to be O’Keefe, he is heard screaming that he is a “victim of crime”.

He also screamed for officers to “get rid of these journalists”.

The former Weekend Sunrise and Deal Or No Deal host left Channel 7 in February last year after his expired contract was not renewed.

O’Keefe was awarded an Order of Australia medal in 2017 for “significant service to the broadcast media as a television presenter, and to social welfare and charitable organisations”.

— with NCA NewsWire