Tributes paid to Eddie Spence MBE who has died aged 91

World-renowned baker Eddie Spence MBE led a sweet life and successful career as a master baker and cake decorator and his family said he will be "sorely missed".

Across eight decades in the industry, Eddie was involved in the creation of nine cakes for the Royal Family, including wedding cakes for The Queen, Princess Margaret and Princess Diana. 

The proud Scotsman, who moved to Bournemouth in 1977, received an MBE from the late Queen in 2000.   

His last cake for the monarch, which saw him come out of retirement, was for Her late Majesty and Prince Philip’s 70th wedding anniversary in 2017. 

(Image: Newsquest)

LEGEND: Eddie Spence MBE of Dawn Pennington’s School of Cake Artistry

His motto was 'If you love what you do, you never have to work' and for Eddie, he never did.

His wife Tracy said: "My Eddie, my/our hero, will be sorely missed so much by his whole family, his grandchildren and his two little doggies.

"He is the sweetest, kindest man you could meet, you cannot help but love him.

"I always said he had royal icing in his veins and was born with a piping tube in his hand. I have placed a piping bag in his hand at the chapel of rest so he is ready to teach the angel his skills.

"It has been my honour to breathe the same air, walk the same steps as our hero. I would give anything to mix the icing for him again and hold his hands.

"It is wonderful to be loved by the one you love. I have been very lucky, we were like two teenagers madly in love with each other.

"I will miss him every second for the rest of my life until we are together again."

Eddie and Tracy Spence (Image: Newsquest)

Renowned baker Dawn Pennington was trained by Eddie and described him as the “most generous of souls” who will be “sadly missed by all who knew him”. 

Paying tribute, she said: “His amazing talent needless to say won many medals and awards over the years. The greatest achievement receiving his MBE in October 2000, for his tireless dedication to sugar craft and teaching. 

“Eddie devoted his life to his loved profession and continued into his 80s to give back by teaching his craft and love of Royal Icing to hundreds of students all over the world.” 

Eddie was born in Edinburgh's Royal Mile and christened at St Giles’ Cathedral. He started baking at Mackie’s in Prince’s Street, Edinburgh, at the age of 14. 

The baking legend went on to become a leading name in the industry, winning countless awards, judging competitions around the globe and even releasing his own book The Art of Royal Icing. 

He died at the age of 91 on Tuesday, July 2 and is survived by three children, two stepchildren, and grandchildren.