Humanity may split into two sub-species in 100,000 years’ time, as predicted by H.G. Wells, says evolutionary theorist Oliver Curry of the London School of Economics.

He expects a genetic upper class would be tall, slim, healthy, attractive, intelligent, and creative and a far cry from the “underclass” humans, who would have evolved into dim-witted, ugly, squat goblin-like creatures.

But in the nearer future, humans will evolve in 1,000 years into giants between 6ft and 7ft tall, he predicts, while life-spans will have extended to 120 years,

However, Dr Curry warns, in 10,000 years time humans may have paid a genetic price for relying on technology. Spoiled by gadgets designed to meet their every need, they could come to resemble domesticated animals.