EastEnders fans have shared their theories about the mystery woman who mugged Josh, named Paula, and how she might be linked to the show as she warned Jasmine on Wednesday
19:58, 13 May 2026Updated 20:00, 13 May 2026

EastEnders fans have shared their theories about the mystery woman who mugged Josh(Image: BBC)
The mystery bag thief on EastEnders, who mugged Josh, may have had their true identity rumbled by fans.
The random woman named Paula, as revealed in the credits, was seen trying to steal from Josh this week, leading to him giving her money. Josh’s twin sister Jasmine claimed to love interest Oscar that the woman was sharing a sob story to trick people into give her cash.
Oscar believed she was a mother who was clearly struggling, but he was proven wrong. Jasmine and Oscar caught the woman trying to get Harvey to give her £10.
Jasmine was quick to warn Harvey that the newcomer was a liar, before exposing the fact she had stolen personal belongings from other people. Clocking the carrier bag Paula was holding, Jasmine realised it was filled with items that did not belong to her.
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The random woman named Paula, as revealed in the credits, was rumbled by Jasmine(Image: BBC)
But who is Paula, and why did she try to mug Josh? Some fans think she has a secret link to Walford, and that this week isn’t the only scenes we will see her in.
They think Paula will be back as part of an upcoming storyline, convinced it was simply too random for her to be in a handful of episodes. Some fans believe she has a secret agenda, as others are sure she is somehow linked to at least one character in the Square.
While one theory predicted Paula is connected to Josh or even his adoptive mother Sandra, another theory was that she is connected to new villain Delaney, who is set to kidnap Mark Fowler Jr next week. Taking to social media, fans shared their predictions.
One fan posted online: “Ok, so from tonight’s #Eastenders we now know the ‘bag snatching’ lady is called Paula who doesn’t have a last name and appears to be stealing from various people and allegedly as two kids. ‘You don’t know who you’re messing with.'”
Responding, a fan suggested: “I’m convinced she’s connected to Delaney as both of them arrive this week.” Another fan agreed: “Wonder if that’s Delaney’s wife that slept with Grant a million years ago (30 yrs ago).”

The mystery bag thief on EastEnders, who mugged Josh, may have had their true identity rumbled(Image: BBC)
One fan then said: “Obviously a someone who’s gonna be in a storyline, no clues so far.” A further comment read: “Maybe she is Jackie Ford’s daughter – or Max’s future wife?”
Another suggestion read: “Maybe she is Bea’s even madder sister?” As one fan predicted: “I don’t think thats the last we’ve seen of her,” another commented: “That woman definitely knows Josh though.
“She encounters him twice in one day – that can’t just be a coincidence.” A final post read: “I wonder if this woman knows Sandra or whether this may lead to more of Josh’s past being explored later down the line?”
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