A spokesperson for Oscar Pistorius's family has denied claims that the Paralympic champion took acting lessons before his murder trial in Pretoria, South Africa.

The 27-year-old is accused of murdering girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, whom he shot dead through a bathroom door at his home on Valentine's Day last year.

During the trial, Pistorius has broken down sobbing on numerous occasions, while also vomiting when Steenkamp's injuries have been detailed in the High Court.

While commenting on the double amputee's actions, South African journalist Jani Allan claimed in an open letter to Pistorius that he had been coached by a professional actor.

According to The Independent, spokesperson for the Pistorius family Anneliese Burgess has described the letter as a "mockery of the enormous human tragedy involving the Steenkamp family and our client and his family".

She added: "We deny in the strongest terms the contents of her letter in as far it relates to our client and further deny that our client has undergone any acting lessons or any form of emotional coaching."

Pistorius denies murder by maintaining that he mistook Steenkamp for an intruder when he fired the gunshots.