John Cleese or Ronnie Corbett? Scientists discover the 'height' gene

It explains why John Cleese towers over a room, and why Ronnie Corbett can claim: "I'm so short I'm the only citizen in the UK to have a full-length photo in my passport."

Although it has long been known that big parents are more likely to have big children - and tiny children are often born of tiny couples - biologists have struggled to find genetic causes for height.

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Although the newly-discovered gene, known as HMGA2, accounts for only a small difference in height, researchers say it is a significant find.

"By defining the genes that normally affect stature, we might someday be able to better reassure parents that their child's height is within the range predicted by their genes, rather than a consequence of disease," said a co-author of the study, Dr Joel Hirschhorn, from the Broad Institute of Harvard in the U.S.

"This is the first convincing result that explains how DNA can affect normal variation in human height.

"Because height is a complex trait, involving a variety of genetic and non-genetic factors, it can teach us valuable lessons about the genetic framework of other complex traits - such as diabetes, cancer and other common human diseases."

British and U.S. researchers used DNA samples from 5,000 people taking part in the Wellcome Trust's Case Control Consortium research project.

Each of us carries two copies of every gene - one from our mother and one from our father. The scientist discovered two variants of the HMGA2 gene, one that makes us shorter and one that makes us taller.

Those who carried two "tall versions" are around 1cm taller than those carrying two short versions, they report in Nature Genetics.

The exact role that HMGA2 has in growth is unclear. However, the researchers believe it is linked to increased cell production. That could have implications for cancer research because tumours occur because of uncontrolled cell growth.

Previous studies have shown an association between height and cancer: taller people are statistically more likely to be at risk from cancers, including prostate, bladder and lung.

Dr Mike Weedon, from Exeter University, said: "There are associations between shortness and slightly increased risks of conditions such as heart disease. Similarly, tall people are more at risk from certain cancers and possibly osteoporosis."