Delta Goodrem had to relearn how to talk and sing after surgery left her with a paralysed tongue

Australian singer Delta Goodrem has opened up about having to relearn how to speak ahead of a performance at Eurovision.

The singer is taking to the stage at Eurovision in Vienna with her new song Eclipse, representing Australia at the competition.

Things didn't go so well for Australia at last year's Eurovision, but Goodrem has been pegged as one of the favourites to claim victory this year.

Prior to Eurovision, Goodrem became a household name in her home country for her role in the long running soap opera Neighbours, in which she played aspiring singer Nina Tucker.

Goodrem has also found success in her music career, including her debut Innocent Eyes, which topped Australia's music charts.

But just months after this success Goodrem found herself facing a fight for her health, as she was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.

Goodrem had previously had surgery which led to her needing speech therapy (Christian Bruna/Getty Images)

The cancer diagnosis forced her to put her music career on hold while she recovered, but even after recovering from cancer she had another health setback when a routine operation left her with paralysis of her tongue.

Speaking about the ordeal with Metro, she explained that a gland had been 'a bit naughty and got infected'.

She said: "When I woke up I realised there was nerve damage. I actually had a flight booked for the UK – this was 2018 – but I ended up having to go to ground and go to speech therapy. I didn’t have any idea when it was going to get back to normal. It could be three months or three years."

In another interview on the subject, she said: "I understand that everybody has their challenges and that just happened to have been one of mine. But yes, it was definitely a challenging time."

Goodrem has been pegged as a potential victor at Eurovision (Christian Bruna/Getty Images)

But now Goodrem is raring to go for Eurovision, and opened up to The Independent about it, saying it's 'truly an honour'.

She said: “Eurovision is one of the most iconic global music stages, and to represent Australia is something I feel incredibly proud of.

"There’s a real sense of excitement – it’s a moment to connect, to share music, and to bring a piece of Australia to the world.”

Speaking about the prospect of winning the competition, she said: “⁠It would be incredibly special. More than anything, it would be a moment shared with everyone who has supported me and believed in the music."

Goodrem nonetheless stressed that Eurovision will be something she will 'carry with me forever but regardless of the outcome'.