PaulS:
That delay is in there to give the ADC time to discharge between readings. It has NOTHING to do with reading Serial data, sending Serial data, or anything NOT involving the ADC. And, even then, it's use is questionable.
Yes I do get that, as I said I was trying anything and everything to maker this thing work. I had not put it in my code initially, anyhow I have removed it again, and yes the result is still the same as expected. You might want to take a look at my previous two replies and if possible help me with the bizzare stuff that is happening.