Iconic director David Lynch, known for Twin Peaks and Eraserhead, dies aged 78

Director David Lynch, known for the surreal Twin Peaks series and films such as Eraserhead and Blue Velvet, has died aged 78.

A post on his official Facebook page announcing the death, read: "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’.

"It’s a beautiful day with golden sunshine and blue skies all the way."

The American director’s films were known for their dreamlike, surrealist quality, with his work also including The Elephant Man (1980), Wild At Heart (1990), and Mulholland Drive (2001).

Born in Missoula, Montana, Lynch first began a career in painting before switching to making short films during the 1960s.

In 1977, he made his first feature-length film, Eraserhead, a black and white, surrealist body horror which follows Henry Spencer as he navigates a strange and gloomy industrial landscape filled with strange characters such as The Lady In The Radiator.

Major success came in the 1980s with the release of The Elephant Man, loosely based on the life of Joseph Merrick, a severely deformed man who lived in London in the late 19th century, and Blue Velvet, a neo-noir mystery thriller.

Blue Velvet launched Lynch into the mainstream but prompted controversy with its violent and sexual content.

Lynch achieved worldwide stardom with the release of Twin Peaks, co-created with Mark Frost, in 1990, running until 1991 with its initial two series, which told the story of Dale Cooper, an eccentric FBI agent who visits a quaint town to investigate the murder of 17-year-old Laura Palmer.

He returned to develop and write Twin Peaks: The Return, released in 2017.

Another career milestone was Mulholland Drive, a non-linear tale showing the dark side of Hollywood which earned him the best director award at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival.

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