Twin Peaks director David Lynch says he can “barely walk across a room” as he battles emphysema.

The 78-year-old director now needs supplemental oxygen for most activities, as he put it: “It’s like walking around with a plastic bag around your head.”

Lynch started smoking at the age of eight, but the effects of the lifelong habit caught up with him in 2020 when he was diagnosed with a debilitating lung disease.

It was two years before he quit smoking with the help of meditation, when he realized he was “going to die in a week” if he didn’t stop.

Despite having no regrets, Lynch hopes his devastating health update will encourage other smokers to quit.

he said People magazine this week: “Think about it. You can give up these things that will end up killing you.

Lynch admitted there was a “heavy price to pay” for his lifelong habit, but said he had no regrets.

Until he gave up cigarettes, the father-of-four “could barely move without taking a breath”.

Twin Peaks director David Lynch says he ‘can barely walk across a room’ as he battles emphysema

Lynch attends the AFI Conservatory’s 50th Anniversary Celebration at Greystone Mansion on September 19, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California

“Giving up was my only choice,” he said.

The Blue Velvet and Twin Peaks director spoke candidly about his illness in August, saying he is now housebound “whether I like it or not”.

Writing on X, he said: “Yes, I have emphysema from many years of smoking. I have to say that I really enjoyed smoking and I love tobacco – the smell of it, lighting cigarettes, smoking them – but there is a price to pay for this pleasure, and the price for me is emphysema.

“I quit smoking for over two years. I’ve had a lot of tests done recently and the good news is that I’m in great shape except for the emphysema.

“I am full of happiness and I will never retire. I want you all to know that I really appreciate your concern.

In an interview with Sight & Sound in August, Lynch said, “Smoking was something I absolutely loved, but eventually it bit me.

Although his illness has prevented him from working on projects in person, he doesn’t completely rule out the possibility of directing in the future.

He said: “I like to be among things and get ideas there. But I’d try to do it remotely, if it comes to that.

Lynch was referring to his animated project — called Snootworld — that was pitched and eventually picked up by Netflix.

His most recent major project before his health problems was the revival of his Twin Peaks series for Showtime in 2017.

Lynch’s other signature projects include Eraserhead (1977), The Elephant Man (1980), Blue Velvet (1986; pictured) and Mulholland Drive (2001) and Inland Empire (2006).

Lynch took to X in August to reveal that he had emphysema after “many years of smoking.” But he said he was in “excellent shape despite the illness”

Lynch smokes a cigarette as she arrives for the official screening of her film ‘The Straight Story’ at the 52nd Cannes Film Festival in May 1999.

The original series took place from 1990 to 1991, as it followed the investigation into the murder of Queen Laura Palmer (played by Sheryl Lee), which took place in the fictional town of Twin Peaks, Washington.

When it first aired in the early 1990s, the series developed a cult following its run on ABC, which later resulted in the 1992 prequel feature film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk.

Over two decades, Lynch’s signature franchise is back with Twin Peaks: The Return.

Kyle MacLachlan, Sherilyn Fenn, Mädchen Amick, Lee and David Duchovny – who starred in the original – are back for the revival.

Other stars have been added to the mix, including Laura Dern, Amanda Seyfried, Jessica Szohr, Michael Cera, Richard Chamberlain and Trent Reznor.

Lynch’s other projects include Eraserhead (1977), The Elephant Man (1980), Blue Velvet (1986) and Mulholland Drive (2001) and Inland Empire (2006).