Netflix recently dropped yet another shocking documentary with Con Mum, a true crime story on how a beloved chef was scammed out of money by a woman who claimed to be his mother. Chef Graham Hornigold always wanted to find his biological mother after he was fostered at the age of two before being in by his dad and step mum.
His prayers were seemingly answered when, in 2020, Dionne suddenly entered his life claiming to be his mother. They quickly struck up a relationship and sought to catch up on so many missed years. Dionne claimed to be a millionaire businesswoman with terminal cancer who lived a lavish lifestyle and showered Graham and his partner Heather with expensive gifts – including luxury cars, and extravagant meals in restaurants.
However, things quickly took a turn with Graham’s long lost mother and he soon ended up nearly £300,000 of credit debt. For a year, Graham was fooled by his mum – who claimed to have terminal cancer – into lending his thousands of pounds. His relationship with his con artist mother cost him much more than the debt she got him into.
Following the release of the Netflix documentary and the heartbreaking twist in which it was confirmed Dionne is Graham’s biological mother, here’s everything we know about Graham’s life now…
Graham, who is a pastry chef with more than 25 years experience in the industry, has received various awards for his culinary skills, including UK Pastry Chef of the Year in 2007 and two Tea Guild Best Afternoon Tea awards in 2005 and 2008. He has also worked in some of London’s best hotels and restaurants including The Lanesborough and the Mandarin Oriental.
Thanks to his years of expertise and experience, he soon landed appearances on several TV shows, including MasterChef: The Professionals and Junior Bake Off.
Graham was previously in a relationship with fellow patissier Heather Kaniuk and they have a son together, born in September 2020. Unfortunately, after Dionne entered their lives, their relationship soon crumpled and they split up, with Heather and their son moving to New Zealand.
Dionne promised she would pay him back when he inherited her money but he racked up enormous debts of about £300,000 which he is still paying off. Right now, the chef is currently working on his gourmet finger doughnut brand, Longboys. The finger doughnut brand was founded in 2019 by Graham and his ex Heather. Longboys are now stocked in Harrods as well as having their own stand along bakeries in Kings Cross, Canary Wharf and Liverpool Street.
After he realised he was being scammed, he sought help, revealing to The Guardian that he ‘sorted out the inner demons’. Speaking about being more wary of people around him now, he said: “I’d like to think I’m a bit more clued up. I was pretty good at spotting BS before, now I’m a master at it.”
And although his son now lives halfway across the world, he makes sure to video chat with him and plans to visit the moment he can afford to.
“I won’t let it affect him, in the sense that he won’t see his dad. I’m going to be a big part of his life,” he said.
Con Mum is available to watch on Netflix now.
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