David Lynch has rowed back on his admiration of Donald Trump's chaotic style of government with an open letter to the president urging him to "turn the ship around".

Having said in an interview with the Guardian that Trump "could go down as one of the greatest presidents in history", Lynch wrote on his Facebook page yesterday that the quote "was taken a bit out of context and would need some explaining".

"Unfortunately, if you continue as you have been, you will not have a chance to go down in history as a great president," Lynch wrote.

"This would be very sad it seems for you – and for the country. You are causing suffering and division.

"It’s not too late to turn the ship around. Point our ship toward a bright future for all. You can unite the country. Your soul will sing. Under great loving leadership, no one loses – everybody wins. It’s something I hope you think about and take to heart. All you need to do is treat all the people as you would like to be treated."

That sounds more like something Richard Curtis would write than David Lynch, to be honest, and it's probably his first attempt at a conventional ending to a narrative since Dune.