Andrew O'Keefe arrested after overdose

Former TV star Andrew O'Keefe was arrested by police just hours after being hospitalized for a heroin overdose.

New South Wales Police confirmed that a 52-year-old man was arrested at Rose Bay Police Station at around 2.25pm ​​on Monday.

The arrest is related to an alleged breach of bail conditions, a New South Wales Police spokesman said.

Mr O'Keefe was taken to Waverley police station and is assisting police with the investigation, the spokesman said.

Earlier in the day, Mr O'Keefe was treated for an overdose after a call for help was made over the weekend.

“Officers from the Eastern Suburbs Police Area Command were called to a residential unit on Old South Head Road in Vaucluse at around 3.40am on Saturday due to concerns for the welfare of a 52-year-old man,” a police spokesman said on Monday.

“NSW Ambulance paramedics rendered aid to the man before transporting him to St Vincent's Hospital.”

“The investigation into the incident is ongoing.”

O'Keefe has since been released from the hospital.

The overdose occurred just six days after he successfully overturned a drug conviction in Sydney's Downing Centre District Court last week, but was unable to overturn convictions for domestic violence.

The former Channel 7 star and one-time ambassador for domestic violence prevention was found guilty in January and given a 12-month suspended sentence and three 18-month suspended sentences after the judge ruled he had attacked a woman in an “intimidating and degrading” manner.

The court was told that O'Keefe got into an argument with the woman in September 2021 after she accused him of defaming her child.

The woman said O'Keefe pushed her against a door, injuring her wrist and hand before kicking her and digging his nails into her skin.

She told police that he then told her “Have a good trip” and tried to spit on her as she left.

During the argument, O'Keefe allegedly told the woman, “Good acting, I barely touched you.”

O'Keefe claimed the woman inflicted the injuries on herself or sustained them when he “accidentally” fell on her during the argument.

Last Monday, Judge John Pickering dismissed the former Deal or No Deal presenter's appeal, which alleged that the victim had lied.

“I can see no motive to lie here,” he said.

“I do not believe at all that the complainant simply made this up maliciously.”

O'Keefe became restless in the courtroom, making noises of disapproval and shaking his head as the verdict was announced.

He had previously campaigned against domestic violence as chairman of White Ribbon Australia, an organisation dedicated to preventing violence against women.

The 52-year-old was the charity's ambassador from its founding in 2007 until its dissolution in 2019.

After his appeal failed, he was convicted of domestic violence and violating a restraining order.

The former host of The Chase also appealed his conviction for possession of the illegal drug mephedrone, known as “Meow Meow”.

Judge Pickering concluded that there were reasonable doubts as to whether O'Keefe had knowledge of the drug being stored in his home.

He granted the appeal and overturned the drug conviction.

O'Keefe is publicly battling his drug addiction and has been in and out of rehabilitation centers over the past three years.

When announcing the verdict, the district judge stated that his drug addiction had “robbed” him of his successful and highly acclaimed media career and his happy marriage.

Outside court last week, O'Keefe told reporters he was “very disappointed” with the verdict but would not appeal it further.