Legendary director David Lynch has died aged 78

Director David Lynch has passed away aged 78, his family have confirmed in a social media post.

The director was most known for films like Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive, as well as the critically acclaimed Twin Peaks TV series.

In a Facebook post, his family wrote: “It is with deep regret that we, his family, announce the passing of the man and the artist, David Lynch. We would appreciate some privacy at this time.

"There’s a big hole in the world now that he’s no longer with us. But, as he would say, ‘Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole. But, as he would say, 'Keep your eye on the donut and not on the hole'.

"It's a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way,"

The director’s last feature film was way back in 2006 when he did Inland Empire, before going on to direct a number of music videos.

David Lynch has died aged 78 (Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

The director revealed in 2024 that he had been diagnosed with emphysema and in a rather candid interview last year in August, he revealed that he could only conduct his work remotely due to his health issues.

He explained that the lung condition caused shortness of breath due to damage to the air sacs in the lungs.

The condition is caused mainly by long-term exposure to airborne irritants, including smoking tobacco or marijuana, air pollution, or chemical fumes and dust.

For Lynch, he said his illness came as a result of 'smoking for so long', as he explained: “Smoking was something that I absolutely loved, but in the end, it bit me."

"It was part of the art life for me: the tobacco and the smell of it, and lighting things and smoking and going back and sitting back and having a smoke and looking at your work, or thinking about things; nothing like it in this world is so beautiful," Lynch continued.