Coronation Street : Viva Las Vegas ! Coronation Street : Viva Las Vegas ! is a feature - length spin - off released exclusively on VHS on 17th November 1997 . The special focused on Jack Duckworth and wife Vera as they flew to Las Vegas to renew their wedding vows . Hairdressers Maxine Heavey and Fiona Middleton featured in a story of their own , as their attempts to find fun in Vegas often backfired . Written by " Coronation Street " fan Russell T . Davies , it featured a cameo appearance from actor Neville Buswell , who had given up his long - time role in the programme as Ray Langton twenty - one years earlier . Joan Collins made a cameo appearance . The special was shown on television on Sunday 2nd July 2000 at 5 . 00pm in an edited version running to 75 minutes with adverts . This was not shown in the regions covered by Scottish Television , Border Television or Grampian Television . The special was recorded in Las Vegas , and a number of American or Canadian actors played supporting roles , including Michael McShane ( Maxwell Baxter ) , Gwen Humble ( Biddy Baxter ) , Rolf Saxon ( Stephano Delaney ) , and Lou Hirsch ( Dino Di Catalono ) . Plot . Jack and Vera Duckworth , married 40 years , decide to fly to Las Vegas for a vow renewal ceremony . After their arrival they ' re surprised by Fiona Middleton and Maxine Heavey , who got the money for the trip from Alec Gilroy to surprise the Duckworths and do Vera ' s hair for the service . Jack soon confesses to Vera that he added two years to his age when they met , to impress her , and thus their wedding certificate was not valid . Vera was upset to learn they were not legally married , and insists Jack get on one knee and propose to her in the hotel dining room . Jack ' s proposal inspires a nearby couple , Maxwell Baxter and his partner , Biddy . The two couples have a drink and Maxwell tells Jack and Vera he is a millionaire , due to his bra design business . Jack and Vera inflate their own wealth so as to not seem inferior . Jack goes to play the slot machines , and steps away from one to talk to an insistent Vera about her earrings . While he ' s busy , another man takes over the machine , and wins one million dollars . An angry Jack vents to Vera about what she ' s cost them and how thanks to her they will be in debt until they die . Vera is reduced to tears , and although Jack apologises , Vera throws him out of their room , saying she does not want to marry him . Jack runs into Maxwell , who has split up with Biddy after questioning her about why her five previous husbands died under odd circumstances . Vera drowns her sorrows with Biddy . They run into Ray Langton , now working as a waiter . Vera talks about the events that have happened on the Street since he left , mentioning Deirdre Barlow ' s marriage to Samir Rachid and his death , Rita Fairclough ' s marriage to and the death of Alan Bradley , and Emily Bishop ' s marriage to Arnold Swain , among other topics . Ray , thinking she ' s exaggerating , tells them he ' s now married to a man named Raymond , adopted three Vietnamese boat people with him , and is hiding from his evil twin . After he leaves the table , he tells their waiter to stop serving the " sad old drunk . " Biddy becomes interested in Jack when Vera says he has an inheritance . Biddy convinces Vera that Jack is finished with her , and begins to pursue Jack for herself . Meanwhile , Maxine convinces Fiona to stop being boring and try to enjoy Vegas . While driving around in a sports car , a man named Stephano Delaney pulls up beside them , asking them to join him at a party . Maxine dares Fiona into agreeing . Maxine is the centre of attention , while Fiona talks to Dino Di Catalono . When Dino calls her a prostitute , Fiona pushes him into the pool . The police show up around the same time , and Dino reveals himself as a police officer , taking everyone at the party down to the station . Maxine and Fiona spend a night in jail and clash over Maxine ' s belief that Fiona has everything handed to her . The next morning , after they ' re released , Maxine goes to a party with Stephano . Fiona stays behind at the hotel , only to run into an apologetic Dino , who wants to take her out to dinner . They have a friendly meal , but when she tells him of Maxine ' s whereabouts , he reveals that Stephano is involved in various criminal activities , the most recent being a counterfeit design scheme . Stephano pulls this scheme on a bereft Maxwell Baxter , an assistant stealing the briefcase and designs while Maxwell is talking to Stephano . Maxine , using a camcorder she ' d brought with her , records various moments of the counterfeiting process . Fiona shows up to warn her about what ' s going on , and Stephano suspects the women are working against him . In Biddy ' s room , she attempts to work her magic on Jack , but stops when he tells her he doesn ' t have any money . Maxwell offers Vera marriage and money , but Vera encourages him to find his true happiness with Biddy , even if she can ' t with Jack . Maxwell then knocks on Biddy ' s door , begging for another chance . Jack hides in a closet , then crawls under a dinner cart as Biddy distracts Maxwell . The cart makes its way up to Stephano ' s suite , where Fiona quickly hands Jack the incriminating tape of Stephano before Stephano can search her . Fiona sprays water in Stephano ' s face and she and Maxine run for it . Maxine is recaptured , but Fiona manages to escape . A chase ensues , as Maxwell , Biddy , and Vera run after Stephano and his men , and Fiona has a taxi follow the men as they drive off with Maxine . Dino and the police soon stop the criminals , but Stephano taunts them over lack of evidence . Just as he threatens to sue everyone , the dinner cart rolls outside , and Jack emerges , giving the tape to the police . Stephano and his men are arrested . Jack manages to win Vera back by shouting his love for her through a megaphone . Maxwell and Biddy wed in a chapel , followed by Jack and Vera . They say their goodbyes , and Biddy begins to plot Maxwell ' s murder . Jack and Vera fly home , upgraded to first class by the police . Jack accidentally causes Vera to spill her drink all over herself . Joan Collins walks by , assuring Vera that it will wash out , saying , " I should know . "