Bravo Axes Four Housewives of New York City Cast Members

Jill Zarin, Alex McCord, Kelly Bensimon and Cindy Barshop will not be returning for the next season of Bravo's The Real Housewives of New York City, the network confirmed — in a roundabout way.

"Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan and LuAnn DeLesseps will be returning for season five of The Real Housewives of New York City. We've had a fabulous run with all the ladies and appreciate them sharing their lives with our viewers," Bravo said in statement Saturday, adding, without naming the departed: "It is a friendly departure among the other ladies and we continue to have ongoing discussions with them."

Michaele Salahi kidnapped? No, She's on a Journey

Bravo's statement comes two days after The Huffington Post first reported that all four ladies had been fired. According to the report, Zarin, McCord and Bensimon were told on Thursday that they were not invited back for Season 5, but could possibly return the following season if their replacements don't work out.

However, Zarin and McCord separately denied on Friday that they had received their pink slips. Zarin's rep released a statement to The Hollywood Reporter stating that "Jill is still in discussions with Bravo for Season 5." McCord told THR her casting was "still in limbo" as of Friday.

Bravo takes The Real Housewives on tour

Zarin and McCord are both original cast members while Bensimon joined in Season 2, and Barshop started in Season 4.

Will you miss Jill, Alex, Kelly and Cindy next season?