Channel 7 has parted ways with Andrew O’Keefe

Andrew O’Keefe, who hosted quiz program The Chase, is due to face court this week after allegedly assaulting his partner.

Former Channel 7 host Andrew O'Keefe.

Channel 7 has dumped troubled game show host Andrew O’Keefe, the network says.

O’Keefe, 49, was arrested and charged on the weekend over an alleged domestic assault on his partner, haematologist Orly Lavee, in Sydney’s east.

Police also applied for a provisional apprehended violence order to protect Dr Lavee, his rumoured girlfriend, following an alleged incident at a Randwick unit just before 1am on Sunday.

The 49-year-old television personality has told friends he will fight the allegations in court.

A Channel 7 spokesperson today told news.com.au: “Seven is obviously very concerned to read the reports regarding Andrew O’Keefe. 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. The program is produced for Seven by ITV Studios Australia. Production will resume soon and a decision about who will host future series is still to be made.”

According to TV Blackbox, O’Keefe’s contract with Channel 7 finished at the end of 2020.

O’Keefe set to fight charges

In relation to the alleged assault, a NSW Police spokesman told the Australian: “Just before 1am Sunday 31 January 2021 officers from Eastern Beaches Area Command attended a Randwick unit after reports a 41-year-old woman had allegedly been assaulted in a domestic violence incident.”

O’Keefe was arrested 2½ hours later and taken to Maroubra police station, where he was charged with common assault (DV).

The former Weekend Sunrise host was released on police bail, with conditions preventing him from contacting Dr Lavee, except through legal representation. He must also not assault, molest, harass or intimidate her.

Conditions of the provisional apprehended violence order also prevent O’Keefe from approaching or contacting Dr Lavee. He is prohibited from attending her workplace and her $2m apartment.

The apprehended violence order also states he must not assault or threaten, stalk, harass or intimidate, and intentionally or recklessly destroy or damage any property that belongs to or is in the possession of Dr Lavee.

Seven insiders say it is no secret that Seven News management have been frustrated with O’Keefe, with program directors forced to schedule re-runs of The Chase, which airs before the nightly news, because he was in rehab last year.

“It gave us a terrible lead-in and affected the news ratings,” an insider told The Australian.

In 2017 O’Keefe was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his work in charity and television.

He is a former chairman of White Ribbon Australia, a charity that was set up to combat violence against women before it folded in 2019.

The matter will first be heard in court on Thursday. O’Keefe would not comment when contacted by The Australian. Seven also declined to comment.