Jonathan Knight, boyfriend to appear on 'The Amazing Race'

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 20 (UPI) -- Jonathan Knight and boyfriend Harley Rodriguez are among the contestants confirmed for season 26 of the The Amazing Race.

The 46-year-old singer and his beau will contend with five other couples and five pairs of blind dates on the CBS reality competition. Olympic speed skater Aly Dudek and bobsledder boyfriend Steven Langton will also participate on the upcoming season.

"This is probably going to be the most time that we've been together continually," Knight admitted in an interview with People. "I don't know if I am looking forward to that much time together with him. It's going to be interesting."

"I think that space has been good for us," Rodriguez added of their busy schedules. "I think every couple needs space or you can get on each other's nerves. Then we come back together and it is awesome."

Season 26 will see the teams visit five continents and eight countries, including Thailand, Namibia and Monaco. The pairs can earn a new Date Night reward, which affords the winning couple some special one-on-one time together.

"Usually we have people who know each other really well," co-creator Bertram van Munster said in a statement. "Going on a blind date to a restaurant is one thing, but going on a blind date around the world is like rolling the dice in a big way."

Knight and Rodriguez met through a mutual friend, and have been together since 2008. The singer is best known as a member of boy band New Kids on the Block, and will tour with the group, TLC and Nelly in 2015.