Samantha Mumba hopes her husband Torray will make Eurosong - and she lifts lid on their LA home life

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Samantha Mumba hopes her husband Torray will arrive in Dublin in time to see her perform on The Late Late Show's Eurosong special tonight.

The retired police officer is jetting in to Ireland as Samantha sings her self-penned track My Way with the hope of representing Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel this May.

The singer is based in Los Angeles, but her time at home has made her want to set up a new base here with her family - especially because her daughter Sage has fallen in love with the Irish culture and language.

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Samantha told RSVP Live: "Depending on work stuff, he might be flying in for it on time tonight. We will. He is excited about it.

"He is a retired police officer. He was a police officer when I first met him. He owns a security company now.

"He is fascinated by Eurovision. He grew up knowing nothing about it at all, it is not his world. He can’t get over how huge it is and how big of a deal it is."

Samantha's daughter Sage has taken a hands on approach to her famous mum's RTÉ appearance after returning to Dublin with her.

She joked: "She is running around prepping the dancers. She is busy, she is up to her eyes."

Samantha has been living in America for 21 years, but it was never her plan to settle there full time, and a base in Dublin could be on the cards.

She said: "I never really had an overall plan for my life, I love the adventure of it all. I have been there for 21 years, which is nuts to me.

"That is half of my life, which is strange. I am getting that feeling where I want more balance and to be in Ireland a little bit more.

Eurovision hopeful Samantha Mumba pictured ahead of The Late Late Eurosong special

Eurovision hopeful Samantha Mumba pictured ahead of The Late Late Eurosong special

"Sage is more proficient in Irish than me. She is learning gaeilge on Duolingo. She is all about Dublin and Ireland and she never wants to go home.

"If I told her we were moving here tomorrow, she would be delighted with herself. She is very proud of her Irish roots.

"I get home about two or three times a year, but I would love a more permanent base here so we could spend months rather than weeks here."

Samantha is very nervous ahead of tonight's performance on The Late Late Show.

She said: "I thought I would be feeling better, but I am not. I am still a bag of nerves. I need to run it and get on stage, once the dress rehearsal is done I will be a lot calmer."

The Gotta Tell You hitmaker was keen to make sure she wrote her own song for this experience.

She said: "That has always been important to me. I was a writer on my first ever single.

"I am a songwriter first. I got my publishing deal before I ever got my record deal.

"I couldn’t imagine doing anything like this without having a direct connection or understanding to me. I am really proud of the song and the lyrics."

The Late Late Eurosong Special will take place tonight on RTÉ One at 9:35pm.

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