(Rex)

Images of little green men and flying saucers have long been the stuff of fiction and dreams.

But visitations from aliens are not that unlikely, according to genius Stephen Hawking.

The theoretical physicist and cosmetologist claims that alien existence is a “rational” idea and that if they did come to Earth, it wouldn’t be good at all.

He told Spanish newspaper, El Pais: “If aliens visit us, the outcome could be much like when Columbus landed in America, which didn’t turn out well for the Native Americans.

“Such advanced aliens would perhaps become nomads, looking to conquer and colonise whatever planets they can reach.

“To my mathematical brain, the numbers alone make thinking about aliens perfectly rational. The real challenge is to work out what aliens might actually be like.”

He added that humans should now make space travel a priority, so that we can escape if Martians do land, saying: “There’s an increasing risk that a disaster will destroy Earth. I therefore want to raise public awareness about the importance of space flight.”

So there it is. On very good authority. We are doomed. Maybe.