Competition reality television show, America’s Next Top Model, is axing three of its star judges after falling ratings, the BBC wrote.

Show creator, Tyra Banks said photographer Nigel Barker, runway coach J. Alexander, also known as “Miss J”, and photo-shoot director Jay Manuel will not be returning to the next cycle of the long-running series.

The judges have been with the model competition series since its debut on American television. Barker, in an interview with E! News, said he wasn’t totally surprised by the move.

“It wasn’t a shock. I’m friends with Tyra and the producers,” the photographer said.

“There had been a discussion that ratings were down and that something like this would happen. We had an incredible run and there aren’t any hard feelings.”

Former model Banks and the show’s executive producer wrote on Facebook and Twitter: “Nigel Barker, Miss J. And Mr Jay: Thank you for all our years together on America’s Next Top Model.

“Working with you is always an absolute pleasure. Excited for what the future holds for us.”

Manuel thanked fans in a blog post for their support and said he was moving on to other projects.

“Nigel, Miss J and I had a great run, and now it’s time for us to move on,” he said.

Whether or not the top model shake up will improve falling ratings is uncertain; fans loyal to the show have grown attached to the trio. Their replacements have not been announced yet.

America’s Next Top Model, which airs on the CW channel in the US, has lost more than half of its 2005 audience, and is currently watched by less than two million people.