Fans of The Chase are thrilled with the news that Channel Seven are set to resume production on the popular quiz show, with Andrew O’Keefe set to return as beloved host.
The show has been on a break while Andrew took care of some personal health issues, and the break was later extended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A Seven Spokesperson told TV Tonight about the news.
“The 2020 season of The Chase starts filming next week. Given the current environment in relation to COVID-19, there are a number of safety and hygiene measures that have been put into place together with ITV Studios to minimise risk for the cast, crew and contestants,”
“These will be overseen by a dedicated coordinator whose job it is to ensure these are adhered to at all times.
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O’Keefe has been having a rough time as of late since his divorce to his wife Eleanor in late 2017. The couple share three children – Barnaby, 15, Rory, 12, and Olivia, 8.
Filming of The Chase has stopped a number of times in the past year, with Channel Seven giving O’Keefe time off in November to accommodate his touring schedule.
“The rescheduling will allow Andrew O'Keefe time to finish the run of his Johnny O'Keefe [stage] shows, without the added pressure of records for The Chase,” a spokesperson said at the time.
O’Keefe has previously taken time off in April 2019 to work on himself for eight weeks.
He said to the Herald Sun that the break had allowed him to focus on his health.
“We all use different methods to escape from the most uncomfortable parts of our existence and I certainly was not using the most healthy ones,” he said.
“I mean sleep would have been handy… The diet could have been better, fluids that had no decimal points in them would have been good.”
He continued: “I just could not see that I had the time or the strength to change that without removing myself entirely from the world for a bit.”
This article originally appeared on Over60.