Former Deal or No Deal host Andrew O’Keefe was spotted behind the wheel of his luxury Mercedes-Benz in Sydney just days after allegedly driving under the influence of drugs.
The 52-year-old, once one of Channel 7’s brightest stars, stopped at Rose Bay’s Oak Berry cafe for a milkshake on Saturday afternoon before he was seen getting into the driver’s seat of his car, blowing his nose and driving away along New South Head Rd.
O’Keefe appeared clean-shaven and smartly dressed in a navy jumper, cream chinos and trainers – a far cry from his disheveled appearance at Waverley Local Court a week ago when he was granted bail for a drink-driving arrest after spending a night in police custody.
The former Weekend Sunrise presenter is accused of failing a drugs test after he was stopped shortly before midday last Sunday in Sydney’s opulent Bellevue Hill.
That arrest came after O’Keefe was issued a court summons for driving with a suspended license on June 20, following a separate vehicle stop in Bellevue Hill.
In January, he was also convicted of a domestic violence charge dating back to September 2021, when he kicked and spit on a woman.
He was found guilty of common assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of possession of a prohibited drug and contravening an apprehended violence order.
However, he avoided jail and was sentenced to a 12-month community corrections order and three 18-month community corrections orders for the domestic violence offences.
Former Weekend Sunrise and Deal or No Deal presenter Andrew O’Keefe was spotted in Rose Bay, Sydney, on Saturday, days after spending the night in a cell after being arrested for drink-driving.
The 52-year-old looked clean-shaven as he stopped by Acai Oak Berry bar for a smoothie.
O’Keefe’s latest arrest occurred when officers from the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command allegedly stopped him at 11.45am last Sunday, where he was found behind the wheel of a Mercedes sedan on Cranbrook Road in Bellevue Hill.
Police allege he failed a roadside drug test and had threatened a man at an address on Longworth Ave in the neighbouring suburb of Point Piper ‘for a short time’ before officers stopped him.
He was taken to Waverley Police Station for a second oral fluid test, which reportedly came back positive. The sample was sent for analysis.
Following investigations, O’Keefe was charged with contravening the AVO ban/restriction and stalking/intimidating with intent to cause bodily harm.
Appearing in court on Monday, O’Keefe allegedly confronted the man “possibly out of jealousy” following a “reunion” with his former partner.
“It certainly wasn’t a situation where someone just turned up at the door and knocked on the door to say hello, but there was this assault,” the police prosecutor told the court.
The prosecutor said O’Keefe knew he “shouldn’t be” at the property and had admitted to police he had “one foot in the door”.
He said O’Keefe had appeared to be under the influence of drugs and when they asked him about a crack pipe in his pocket he told them the jacket “was being carried by someone else” and did not belong to him.
O’Keefe has been charged with contravening an AVO over a visit to a Point Piper property last weekend.
O’Keefe has been notified to appear in court on his latest charges.
Although Ms Ramsden told the court “the allegations were denied”, she admitted O’Keefe had made admissions to police because he was concerned the house was being burgled.
“He can enter the property, but he cannot go inside. Later that day he was having lunch with her (the ex-partner). He arrived at the property and saw the door ajar,” he said.
‘She (the ex-partner) is not at home and there is no threat towards her and there is no statement from her, which is important to assess the prosecution’s case.’
Ms Ramsden said O’Keefe visited the house and after an initial conversation returned, at which point the man told her: “If you don’t leave, it’s going to be very bad for you.”
She told the court the former TV presenter took the statement as a threat and there was “nothing to back up” claims he had been arguing with someone on the phone.
At the height of her fame, she was one of the Seven Network’s hottest properties.
A disheveled O’Keefe walked out of Waverley Local Court last weekend after being granted bail.
In support of the bail application, Ms Ramsden said O’Keefe would provide daily urine samples for drug testing and his sister would provide a $1000 surety to the court.
The prosecutor, meanwhile, opposed O’Keefe’s release, arguing that he was a “danger to the community” because of his alleged drugged driving while under suspension.
O’Keefe was eventually granted bail despite the magistrate telling the 52-year-old there were “many aspects of the police proceedings which are concerning”.
“There is a real concern that you were somewhere you didn’t belong and that drugs could still be a factor in your life, but I am willing to give you the opportunity to continue your treatment,” she said.
