Hey, have you seen Con Mum on Netflix yet? This insane documentary, directed by Nick Green, dropped on March 25, 2025, and it’s got everyone talking about Graham Hornigold—a top UK pastry chef who got hit with a scam that’s wilder than fiction. Imagine reconnecting with your long-lost mom after 45 years, only to find out she’s draining your bank account and your sanity. That’s Graham’s story in a nutshell, and at TV Acute, we’re here to break it down. So, where is Graham Hornigold now? Let’s catch up with the chef and see how he’s bouncing back from the true story behind Con Mum.
Graham’s World Before the Chaos
In 2020, Graham Hornigold was experiencing the life of his dreams. He’d made a name for himself in London’s food scene—think Michelin-starred gigs at Hakkasan, judging on Junior Bake Off, and co-founding Longboys, a donut empire. Life was sweet, pun intended. He and his partner, Heather Kaniuk, were successfully managing their business and preparing for the arrival of their son. Everything was on track—until an email from a woman named Dionne flipped the script.
Dionne claimed she was his biological mom, missing from his life since he was a toddler. Graham, who’d grown up with an abusive dad and no mom in sight, was floored. She had details—like his birth in Germany at a British army base—that checked out. They met in Liverpool, hit it off instantly, and Graham thought he’d found the family he’d always craved. But Netflix Con Mum shows how fast that dream turned into a nightmare.
The Con That Broke Everything
Dionne came in hot with big promises. She said she was the secret daughter of Brunei’s former Sultan, loaded with cash from fruit farms and a palm oil business. She showered Graham and Heather with gifts—new Land Rovers, luxe hotel stays—and swore she’d leave Graham her fortune. The catch? She had a brain tumor and bone marrow cancer, with just six months to live. Graham, hooked on the idea of finally having a mom, stuck by her side.
She dragged him to Switzerland for “inheritance meetings” with bankers and lawyers, but weeks passed with no results. Meanwhile, money started vanishing—hundreds of thousands of pounds from Graham’s accounts, racked up on Dionne’s tab. He was footing bills for her champagne lifestyle, setting up credit cards, and missing out on his newborn son’s first days. Heather sensed a suspicious situation, yet Graham’s emotional attachment to Dionne prevented him from recognizing it. Then the truth hit: Dionne was a pro con artist—and, get this, his real mom. DNA confirmed it. She’d played him like a fiddle, and it cost him big.
Read Also: Where Is Dionne Hanna Now? The Shocking Truth Behind Netflix’s Con Mum
How It All Fell Apart
The fallout was brutal. Graham’s relationship with Heather crumbled under the strain, and Dionne even attempted to create a rift between them, preventing him from spending time with his family. By the time he realized what was going on, he had already snooped through her hotel room and discovered hypertension medications (not cancer drugs) and red food coloring (a fake bloody urine trick). The cars she “gifted” were on credit in his name, unpaid after a couple of months. He was out over €300,000, stuck in debt, and heartbroken.
Dionne? She quickly returned to Malaysia, leaving Graham to deal with the aftermath. A year later, she called to say, “Sorry, son, I can’t change,” but that was it—no real consequences. Heather tried the cops, but since Dionne’s his mom, it’s not legally fraud. It was truly a devastating experience. The true story behind Con Mum isn’t just about money—it’s about trust getting torched by the one person who shouldn’t betray you.
Where Is Graham Hornigold Now?
So, where’s Graham Hornigold now? He’s still in the UK, grinding to rebuild his life. The scam left him in a financial hole he’s still climbing out of, but he’s not letting it define him. Longboys, his donut business with Heather, is flourishing, boasting shops in Borough Yards, King’s Cross, Liverpool Street, and other locations, along with pop-ups and collaborations such as UK Wingfest. He’s also running Smart Pâtisserie, a consultancy he started with Heather, which snagged Pretty Sweet in 2023. Career-wise, he’s thriving—catch him at events like The Artisan Collective 2025, showing off his baking chops.
Personally, it’s tougher. He and Heather split, and she’s in New Zealand with their son. Graham’s gutted to miss out on daily dad duties, but he’s all about staying connected. He stays updated through video calls and plans a visit once his financial situation stabilizes. “I won’t let [Dionne] mess up my son’s life,” he told The Guardian. “He’s gonna see his dad—I’m in this for the long haul.” Therapy’s helped him process the betrayal, and he’s firm: Dionne’s just “Dionne” now, not “mom.” No love lost there.
Why Con Mum Hits Different
If you haven’t watched Con Mum on Netflix, you’re missing out. Con Mum is a captivating drama that spans 1 hour and 28 minutes, reminiscent of Tinder Swindler, but with a profound family twist. At TV Acute, we love how it’s more than a scam story—it’s about longing for connection and getting burned. Dionne’s free, sipping champagne somewhere, while Graham’s fighting back. The experience is exhilarating and captivating.
What’s Next for Graham?
Graham’s not slowing down. Longboys is growing, Smart Pâtisserie’s opening doors, and he’s got his eye on being the dad his son deserves. Although the debt is a challenge, he is determined to overcome it, demonstrating his resilience in the face of Dionne’s deceit. Living in the UK, he’s chasing the extraordinary—baking, building, and bonding with his kid, no matter the distance. Got thoughts on where Graham Hornigold is now? Please share your thoughts on this Netflix Con Mum saga in the comments section below.
Must Read: Con Mum on Netflix: A Wild True Story You Can’t Miss
