Jason Connery has spoken out in defence of his father, claiming he is sick of the former James Bond star being portrayed as 'some sort of monster or tyrant'.

The only child of Sir Sean Connery strongly denied suggestions that he will not be inheriting a penny of his father's £85million fortune.

His remarks follows allegations made last week by his mother and Sir Sean's former wife Diane Cilento that father and son had a very difficult relationship.

Jason Connery (l) has dismissed the suggestion his superstar father Sean (r) had cut him off from his £85million fortune

But yesterday Connery Jnr said allegations that he had been cut off from his father's wealth 'could not be farther from the truth'.

He said: 'I am truly sick of reading about my father and our relationship and of his being portrayed as some sort of monster or tyrant who rules my life by "cutting me off from his wealth".

'He has earned this money, through nothing but his own tireless hard work, and what he does with it and who he gives it to is completely up to him.'

The 45-year-old actor and director, who is best known for his title role in the 1985 Robin Hood TV series, said: 'He and I have never had a conversation where he said "You will never receive a penny" or anything to that effect. That is simply a lie.'

Connery's former wife Diane Cilento endured a 'difficult relationship' with the James Bond star

He stressed that his father had been 'supportive and full of invaluable feedback' throughout his career.

Connery Jnr, who was educated at Gordonstoun, recently finished directing his second film, an action thriller which stars Cuba Gooding Jnr and Ray Winstone.

But his friends have suggested that he was so poor in the early 1980s that he relied on handouts from other actors to survive.

Last week Miss Cilento, who was born in Australia, said that Connery had been determined that their son pursue his own career rather than sponging off his father.

In a newspaper interview, she said: 'Sean said, "You only got this (acting) job because your name's Connery." Jason said, "Well, I'll change it to something else." Sean said, "If you do that I'll f****** kill you."

'Jason loves him but Sean has a problem about relationships, as everybody round him knows. Jason is a very devoted son - when Sean is sick he rushes there. They play golf together.'

Connery, 77, is due to publish his long-awaited autobiography next month.

Entitled Being a Scot, it details his upbringing in a tough part of Edinburgh by his mother and father, a cleaner and truck driver.

The family had no bathroom and were forced to use a communal toilet outside.

Connery, who now lives in the Bahamas, has refused to comment on whether his son will receive any of his earnings.

Fatherly pride: Sir Sean Connery with his son Jason, then aged five, and his former wife Diane Cilento