The long-awaited sculpture to honour iconic theatre director Joan Littlewood was unveiled on Sunday.

Actors Barbara Windsor and Murray Melvin, both of whom worked with Joan in her Theatre Workshop group, were among those to gather outside the Theatre Royal Stratford East.

Fittingly, the sculpture was unveiled just two days before what would have been Joan’s 101st birthday.

Kerry Michael, artistic director of Theatre Royal Stratford East, said: “The sculpture of Joan Littlewood will be a permanent reminder of her great contribution not just to British theatre, but to world theatre.

“We are proud of our history at Theatre Royal Stratford East and this is the perfect way to celebrate it.”

Joan, who died in 2002, developed the internationally-renowned Theatre Workshop after taking up residence at the Theatre Royal in 1953.