Beth Chapman, the wife of US reality star Dog the Bounty Hunter, is confirmed as a contestant on this year’s Celebrity Big Brother.

The 49-year-old crime fighter, who until last year starred alongside her husband in Dog And Beth: On The Hunt, announced the news on her official Twitter account after a newspaper report sparked speculation.

Beth Chapman – Timeline | Facebook

She has been more successful than her husband Dog, real name Duane Chapman, who had been due to star in Celebrity Big Brother himself in 2012, but was denied a visa due to the UK because of a 1976 murder conviction.

A source told The Sun: “Getting Beth for the new series is a real coup for Channel 5.

“As reality stars go, she’s one of the world’s most recognisable, and she’s guaranteed to make great telly.

“She catches criminals for a living, she’s not going to tolerate any Z-lister hissy fits and egos from her new housemates.”

Beth Chapman – Timeline | Facebook

Beth and her husband starred in Dog The Bounty Hunter for eight series until 2012, before the pair started their spin-off where the family help struggling bail agencies apprehend criminals.

Other stars rumoured for the new series include singer David Cassidy, X Factor reject Chloe Mafia, Gogglebox’s Chris Steed and Stephen Webb and Geordie Shore’s Marnie Simpson.

Celebrity Big brother returns to Channel 5 on July 28 at 9pm.