EXCLUSIVE PICTURE: First look at new Shakespeare statue

Mr Holofcener, who is also a playwright as well as a sculptor, and he would like to have his work of art unveiled in Bancroft Gardens on his 90th birthday on 23rd February.

He proposes to travel from America with his family to attend the event.

At a special meeting on Monday Stratford District Council’s ruling cabinet will be asked to accept Mr Holofcener’s offer.

This week Mr Holocener said: “The Shakespeare project began in 2011 with a commission from a London group planning to erect a theatre in Shoreditch, modelled after the original Burbage Theatre.

“I was to place the Bard seated on a bench. However, I completed a maquette with Shakespeare not seated but with one foot on a bench, welcoming visitors to his theatre.

“Sadly, the theatre project never reached fruition, but I decided to proceed with the life-size portrait.”

This is the second Shakespeare statue suggested for Stratford this year. The other, by James Butler RA, has been proposed to be erected on the roundabout at the top of Bridge Street.

- This story was been updated on Thursday, 21st January, as it originally wrongly said Mr Holofcener would be charging Stratford District Council a fee to keep his statue in place beyond this year. Editor.