Ian McKellen and Barbara Windsor at Joan Littlewood statue unveiling

Phillip Jackson's statue of the legendary theatre director Joan Littlewood was unveiled in London over the weekend.

Celebrities turned out to see the moment where the covers were pulled off the artwork. Barbara Windsor, who worked with Littlewood when her career was starting off, was there to dish out cake.

Ian McKellen also appeared at the unveiling, which took place in front of the Theatre Royal Stratford East, a theatre Littlewood based her pioneering company the Theatre Workshop at during the Fifties.

Murray Melvin, an actor and writer who also worked closely with Littlewood, was also there at the unveiling. He said: "I’m delighted that a sculpture by Philip Jackson will be unveiled in Theatre Square in recognition of her great contribution to the community of Stratford and theatre."

Littlewood became famous for her work with Theatre Workshop, and productions of musicals Fings Ain't What They Used T'Be and Oh What a Lovely War, both of which were revived by the Theatre Royal Stratford East recently.

The bronze statue of Joan Littlewood will stand in Theatre Square near the Theatre Royal Stratford East.