Jordan Knight exits 'The Surreal Life'

LAS VEGAS, March 28 (UPI) -- A death in the family has forced former New Kid on the Block Jordan Knight to leave VH1's "The Surreal Life: Fame Game," which is filming in Las Vegas.

The all-star edition of the reality show features stars from the past six seasons competing for a $100,000 prize.

A source said Knight began to "lose it" while locked in the "Surreal Life" house and had his brother, Jonathon, come and get him, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday. Knight reportedly did not give his housemates any reason for his exit.

VH1 said the singer left because his grandmother died, while Knight's representative told the Daily News a family illness required his presence in Boston.

Verne "Mini Me" Troyer replaced Knight in the house with Brigitte Nielsen, Chyna Doll, Vanilla Ice, Sandy "Pepa" Denton, Emmanuel Lewis, C.C. DeVille, Ron Jeremy, Tracy Bingham and host Robin Leach.