People have often said they like Max Branning from Eastenders, who is a badboy, has played with younger girls in the past, and got the Arches of Phil through Ben,

Very sneaky, but people still seem to like him.

Why is this?

or is it his character / his acting they respect?

or people just like a rude guy ?

For me, it's mainly because Jake Wood is one of the best actors on the show and is so much more capable than what he's given. When Max isn't being a prat he can be a pretty good character. Moreover there is some sympathy for him anytime he hits rock bottom. I remember really liking him after Tanya tried burying him alive and Lauren running him over. Jack was being a pain in the arse, having Tanya on the rebound. Max had some pretty good chemistry with Ronnie around that time, made me wonder if they'd have ever worked as a couple.

nope, can't stand him

Have to say no, he seems to think that the rules don't apply to him and he can do whatever he wants, affair after affair, dodgy business deals, you name it he's done it, the only time he got his comeuppance was when Tanya tried to bury him alike, which to be honest was totally unrealistic.

Like the actor, loathe the character.

fantastic actor shame he doesn't get acknowledged
Jake and Steve are simply the best male actors on the show

Part of the EE furniture and with good reason - so respect for Max Branning /Jake Wood - good actor

Hated the affair storylines, although I hate affair storylines in general. They make me paranoid over my own relationship. Other than that, I love him! I consider him Eastenders gold. He's vital to the show. Such a great character. There's going to be a hole to fill while he's gone. Hopefully Vincent will be a good substitute. I hope when he comes back the writers turn him into a badass so he can take Phil on. Also, I wanna see Max and Cameron get it on, so hopefully that happens too.

Nope. Vastly overrated character, vastly overrated actor. Vile character. Just shags, mumbles, shuffles and has tantrums at his family, usually about nothing. Terrible father, dodgy businessman, awful partner, lousy son and brother.

I've never took to Max as a character. When he was being buried or run over I couldn't muster any sympathy. The Abi stuff is cold though!
Bet he wishes he had a vasectomy!

Can't stand him. He would be top of my list to axe. Yet we're losing characters with potential left.

Have to agree with some of your points, he does mumble a lot, even when he was on strictly come dancing last year l found that he was very softly spoken, and hard to understand at times. Most unusual for an actor.