Journey of love

The Amazing Race is speeding back with an amazing twist!

Season 26 Sundays (from 1 January) SONY (*127) 19:35

Season 26 of The Amazing Race (2001- current) “is the most extreme blind date ever,” laughs long-time host Phil Keoghan. Six of the 11 pairs are strangers who’re meeting for the first time on the starting line. And in a game where knowing your partner means everything, this could be a spanner in the works. Here’s how the couples are lining up…

IN A RELATIONSHIP

Medical support assistant Lebya (25) & IT technician CJ (26) have known each other for 13 years and have been dating for 10. But as CJ admits, he isn’t planning on proposing anytime soon… which frustrates Lebya. Truck stop manager and independent wrestling promoter Mike (26) & engineer Rochelle (29) have been dating for eight months already but he still hasn’t met her son. Rochelle Host Phil Keoghan is excited about this season’s unpredictability. has a hard exterior and is easily frustrated, but Mike says that he can handle her emotions. Fitness trainer Harley (41) & New Kids On The Block singer Jonathan Knight (46) have been together for seven years. They’re used to private jets and fancy hotels, not roughing it in “economy”. After the show aired in the US (Feb 2015), Jonathan said that “this was harder than touring with a band”. Olympic speed skater Aly (24) & Olympic bobsledder Steve (31) have been dating for seven months and their competitive background means that they’re always in sync and focused on the end goal: getting to the finishing line first. Pilot Jeff (57) & flight attendant Lyda (49) have known each other for over 20 years and have been a couple for the last four. While they’re older than the rest of the teams, they can’t be underestimated – their aviation and travel knowledge makes them a firm favourite from the start.