Oscar Pistorius murder trial: TV show featuring Reeva Steenkamp will still air tonight

Producer says Tropika island of Treasure 'shines with her light and her laughter echoes in every conversation'

South African model Reeva Steenkamp (left), with her former boyfriend Oscar Pistorius, who stands accused of her murder (Getty Images)

A celebrity TV show featuring Reeva Steenkamp, the model allegedly murdered by athletics superstar Oscar Pistorius, will still air tonight.

Ms Steenkamp's body was found at Pistorius' home on Thursday morning. She had been shot repeatedly.

In a statement, South Africa's national broadcaster confirmed that the fifth series of Tropika Island of Treasure will start as planned, before her funeral.

The show, in which seven celebrities compete for a one million rand (£73,000) prize in Jamaica, promises: "An hour of pure adrenaline-fueled drama... Whether diving off 75-foot Jamaican cliffs into the ocean, recreating Cool Runnings, meeting Jamaican celebrities or facing their shortcomings, this season of Tropika Island of Treasure brings you so much more than ever before."

And yesterday Samantha Moon, the show’s executive producer, said there had been “much deliberation” before producers decided: “Reeva was an intelligent, beautiful and amazing woman, and we feel it would be an injustice to keep that unknown from those who did not know her personally."

“Every episode that she is in, every frame that she so ably dominates, shines with her light and her laughter echoes in every conversation, and we want to share these special memories with the rest of South Africa.”

Moon also said that the Steenkamp family want the show to go ahead, saying: "This is how they want to remember her."

The show's promotional material still carries pictures of a bikini-clad Ms Steenkamp, and its website carries a picture of a burning candle with the message: “We are deeply saddened and extend our condolences to Reeva’s family and friends.”

Before tonight's broadcast, at 1830h local time, there will be a tribute programme for the model.

Pistorius, the country's Olympic and Paralympic star, was quickly arrested over the Valentine's Day killing and appeared in court yesterday facing a charge of premeditated murder. His agent says he disputes the charge "in the strongest terms".

According to friends of the athlete, his lawyers will attempt to argue the killing was a tragic case of mistaken identity, with the track star thinking there had been a break-in at his home in a heavily guarded security estate on the outskirts of the capital, Pretoria.

He will next appear at a bail hearing on Tuesday, where police say they will oppose bail. Until then he will be held at Pretoria police station.