Channel 7 dumps Andrew O'Keefe
Andrew O'Keefe has been dumped from Channel 7 after a partnership of 17 years due to O'Keefe's alleged domestic violence charge on the weekend.
A Channel 7 spokesperson 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.”
O'Keefe was charged with common assault after he allegedly assaulted his partner, Orly Lavee, at an apartment in Sydney in the early hours of Sunday morning.
He is due to face Waverly Local Court on Thursday and an insider told The Daily Telegraph O'Keefe intends to fight the charges.
“Andrew is receiving medical treatment in the wake of the incident,” a source close to O’Keefe said.
“He will be defending the charge.”
Lavee has tearfully spoken about the incident, saying that it "has been difficult".
“It has been a horrible few days. I don’t want to go into it, I’m not feeling good about what’s happened.”
O'Keefe has outwardly spoken about domestic violence in relationships and was previously aligned with White Ribbon Australia.
“We are saddened to hear that Dr Orly Lavee has allegedly been assaulted by Andrew O’Keefe, a man who was previously aligned with White Ribbon Australia and is now charged with assault,” White Ribbon Australia executive director Brad Chilcott said.
“There is never any excuse for violence or abuse.”
Mr Chilcott continued: “We stand in solidarity with every victim and survivor of men’s violence against women, and believe men who use violence must be held to account. Every man should take this (allegation) as an opportunity to reflect on their own attitudes, behaviours and relationships with the women in their lives.”