Quiz rivalry reveals a teenager who could outsmart Einstein

But what he didn’t expect was that 14-year-old Amie would come out with an IQ score not only higher than his – but higher than Albert Einstein.

The pair, from Wickersley in Rotherham, sat the test at Sheffield Hallam University together after months of good-natured rows during television quiz shows.

And when their results came through Amie discovered that she had the last laugh, with an outstanding IQ rating of 162 – which puts her in the top one per cent of the UK population.

German scientist Einstein is considered to have had an IQ of 160, while Mr Thackeray, 42, scored a respectable 132 points.

The Wickersley School pupil, who wants to pursue a career as an RAF pilot, said: “Dad decided he wanted to prove he was cleverer than me, but it backfired. I didn’t expect to do as well as I did. My dad was happy for me, but he didn’t speak to me for a while afterwards!”

Amie’s mother Deborah Thackeray, 44, signed the pair up for the test after watching their boasting and baiting during quizzes. Now, both father and daughter have been invited to join the high IQ society as they both scored within the required top two per cent.

British Mensa chief executive John Stevenage said: “We are always delighted to welcome new members.”