Andrew O’Keefe wants to retrain to become a lawyer, after allegedly failing drug test

Andrew O’Keefe hopes to become a lawyer again as he tries to get his life “back on track” despite reportedly failing a drug test and facing trial for alleged violence.

The former Deal or No Deal presenter stood outside Waverley Local Court, in eastern Sydney, on Thursday afternoon after reportedly testing positive for methamphetamine and cocaine.

NSW Police charged O’Keefe with breaching his bail conditions after they reportedly found a man carrying drugs leaving his home in Vaucluse.

At a bail hearing, O’Keefe’s attorney Sebastian De Brennan spoke of his client’s desire to reintegrate into society and retrain as a lawyer – as his accreditation has long since expired.

Andrew O’Keefe hopes to study to become a lawyer as he tries to get his life ‘back on track’ despite reportedly failing a drug test

Mr De Brennan argued that O’Keefe had abstained from drugs since leaving a rehabilitation center three weeks ago, where he received a favorable report – his 10th stint at a facility of its kind.

“He has been trying to get back on track, his partner has made him rekindle the relationship with his children,” Mr De Brennan told the court.

Mr De Brennan said O’Keefe wants to become a lawyer and hopes to retrain in the profession having previously been accredited years ago.

“He is a man who is determined not only to rehabilitate, but also to reintegrate,” Mr De Brennan said.

The 51-year-old followed in the legal footsteps of his father, former Supreme Court Justice Barry O’Keefe, in his younger years – before transitioning to a career in television where he rose to prominence as a presenter of Deal or No Deal and Weekend Sunrise .

As a young man, O’Keefe was a licensed intellectual property lawyer, and previously said he loved how “stimulating” the legal profession was.

The former Deal or No Deal presenter faced the local court of Waverley, in eastern Sydney, on Thursday afternoon, where his lawyer spoke about his desire to reintegrate into society

“I’ve really enjoyed the camaraderie of smart, motivated, and generally ethical people, all working toward a goal,” he told Lawyers Weekly in 2012.

‘Television managers don’t always have the artist’s best interests at heart. I found the law to be a much more nurturing environment.”

During O’Keefe’s trial, his attorney had argued that the police swab on O’Keefe, used to check him for drugs, may have been contaminated.

He was released on bail with a warning from Magistrate Jacqueline Milledge.

Outside of court, O’Keefe said, “We found that out in court today. There was a high chance of contempt, er, contagion (for the monster).’

O’Keefe had worked as an intellectual property attorney before transitioning to a career in TV

O’Keefe will next appear in court on December 14. The former White Ribbon ambassador has been charged with beating, strangling and assaulting a woman in January.

O’Keefe must remain free on bail, remain at his address in Vaucluse and attend weekly appointments with his psychiatrist and psychologist.

The ex-TV star is also not allowed to leave NSW, comes near an airport and is only allowed to take medication prescribed by his doctor.

The judge also ordered him to stay away from alcohol and drugs and not to enter places where alcohol is sold.

He will also be subject to weekly drug tests.

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Andrew O’Keefe was granted bail on Thursday after allegedly failing a drug test (O’Keefe is pictured with his ex-wife Eleanor in 2005)