Andrew O’Keefe to exit Weekend Sunrise after 12 years
Andrew O’Keefe will exit Seven’s Weekend Sunrise after 12 years as co-host.
O’Keefe first joined the program in 2005 and was joined by his current co-host Monique Wright in 2013.
O’Keefe has left Weekend Sunrise, but won’t leave The Chase Australia
He will continue to host of Seven’s quiz show The Chase Australia, and focus on other projects with the network.
To mark his departure from the program, the team posted a showreel of his 12 years with the show.
Michael Pell, Sunrise’s executive producer, thanked O’Keefe for his contribution to the show.
“Andrew O’Keefe is Weekend Sunrise’s longest-serving host,” Pell said.
“Over more than a decade, Australians have woken up to his irreverent style. He’s made us laugh and he’s made us think. I thank Andrew for his enormous contribution and wish him well as he reclaims his own weekends. Andrew will always be a member of the Sunrise Family.”
O’Keefe said he would see viewers “at the much more civilized hour of 5pm”.
“The ideal job is doing work you love with people you love,” O’Keefe said. “And for 12 years it’s been my great pleasure to work on one of the most lively and thoughtful shows on commercial television with some of the warmest, funniest, most committed people I know. Weekend Sunrise has truly been a family, though without the inheritance squabbles or TV-remote blame.
“Mon, Simon, Sally and the whole team behind the camera are beautiful friends. But as much as I love my WS family to bits, I think it’s time to give the weekends back to my real family. There are many overdue camping trips and too many unseen soccer matches to catch up on. So, to all the beautiful people with whom it’s been my profound pleasure to work, and to all the viewers who’ve been our friends for so long, thank you and adios. See you at the much more civilised hour of 5pm.”
Seven’s network director of news and public affairs, Craig McPherson, added: “Andrew has been instrumental in Weekend Sunrise’s dominance over many years. Few bring as much passion and energy to a presenting role. I wish him every success in his future endeavours.”
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, his departure comes at the same time as contract negotiations with weekday co-host David Koch, who is lobbying to work a four-day week.
O’Keefe’s replacement is yet to be announced.
Thank you Andrew you have been fantastic .you are intelligent witty and caring good luck for the future. Noel beitzel
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Oh Andrew I am saddened by your departure yet very happy for you at the same time. You have brought so much insight, intelligence & brilliant wit to the show! I have enjoyed many laugh out loud moments watching you. Thank you for making weekend t.v. so enjoyable. I wish you happiness & success in your future ventures.
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Hi Andrew 🙂 THANKYOU! for everything you have don to date on 7.
best wishes Lord (UK) Tony & Lady (UK) Lyn Curtis
Temora
NSW
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Thankyou for our sit in bed Sundays enjoying a cuppa watching you on Sunrise, having a laugh and your point of views in many discussions .We will miss you.Enjoy your weekends.
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Thanks for 12 fantastic years of Sunrise ,all the best for the future Andrew ,Costa and Family
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Oh Andrew you will be missed. Thank you, thank you ? for so many years of fantastic Weekend Sunrise. You have been an absolute joy, sometimes divisive, always passionate and of course entertaining! My weekends will never be the same!
Enjoy your weekends with your family. All the best from a grateful viewer.
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thankyou Andrew,
12 years of early mornings.. geat effort..in a fickel industry
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Thank you for sharing your amazing energy -funny/ clever -generous /wish you well -irreplaceable ?
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Thank you for the weekends on sunrise you will be sadly missed enjoyed you and all the crew hope to see you on tv once again hope you enjoy time week ends with the family miss you marlene
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I just wanted to say how much I have loved watching Andrew on weekend Sunrise and wish him all the best in his next venture I will miss him every weekend ????
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Thankyou Andrew for being wonderful 12 years on Weekend Sunrise as you’re a wonderful, witty, funny, true gentleman as I will miss you on weekends but of course your family comes first. Why not you can get a new show called The Late Show as you’re a bit smiliar like James Corden?? I think it’s a good idea as you will have a lot of viewers ratings a lot better, who knows? I wish Andrew all the best with new projects with Seven Network. Keep smiling AOK!!
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Sunday will never be the same. Flat whites and a hangover without Andrew in 2018? Seriously?
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A big thank you Andrew for making my weekends so special. Listening to you and Monique was funny, intelligent debates and just right! Enjoy your well earned weekends with your lovely family. You will be missed, keep being you – happy & smiling!! Bernie
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I always watched Sunrise Weekend just to see Andrew and Mon.. I will miss your humour and wit. The best weekend breakfast show. What a shame it has ended… Good luck Andrew in the future.
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