Deon Gill has been happy to stay out of the spotlight while her husband Steve has been locked inside the Big Brother house – but all that is set to change.

The Cosby mum is taking part in the Channel 4 show's housemates' challenge this week – and going in to spend time with them.

"I'm not one for being in the limelight, but they're getting me to do my bit on Thursday," said Deon. "I don't know what I'll be doing, I'm not sure what's going to happen, but I won't be staying overnight."

Husband Steve, 41, moved into the house at the start of June for the 11th series of Big Brother.

The father-of-eight has not seen his wife and children for eight weeks.

"I think he'll be shocked to see me," said Deon. "Very shocked." Steve, a former member of the Royal Anglian Regiment, lost both his legs and an eye in an IRA bomb blast in Belfast in 1989.

His decision to become part of the long-running reality programme was prompted by the work he does for Blesma, the British Limbless Ex-Serviceman's Association.

Steve said he wanted to raise awareness of disability and the conditions being faced by soldiers returning injured from service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

When he first entered the Big Brother house on June 9, Steve quickly became odds on favourite to win the competition and take home the top prize of £100,000, but he is now rated eighth favourite, with odds of 12-1.