New scientific research proves that people with big heads have higher than average intelligence.

Edinburgh University researchers, using MRI scans and IQ tests on 48 volunteers, discovered that the larger the head, and therefore the brain, the greater the IQ. A person with a brain of 1,600cc has an IQ of around 125.

Dr Alasdair MacLullich of the university's Queen's Medical Research Institute said: "As a general rule, the larger the dimensions of front to back and side to side, the greater the IQ, although, of course, there will be exceptions.''

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Examples of gifted people with larger heads include the broadcaster Emily Maitlis, who speaks fluent French, Italian and Spanish but insists her Mandarin Chinese is "rubbish".

Among exceptions is satirist and Private Eye editor Ian Hislop whose head size is relatively modest but who is renowned for his fierce intellect.