package phpmyadmin 4:3.3.2-1 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 1

[Skybinary]

Binary package hint: phpmyadmin

using Ubuntu 10.04 LTS - the Lucid Lynx
phpmyadmin:
  Installed: 4:3.3.2-1
  Candidate: 4:3.3.2-1
  Version table:
 *** 4:3.3.2-1 0
        500 http://gb.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/ lucid/universe Packages
        100 /var/lib/dpkg/status

after forgetting the root password for phpmyadmin/mysql i decided to remove this, using the ubuntu software centre(2.0.7).
i expected it to be removed, instead this report was initiated.

ProblemType: Package
DistroRelease: Ubuntu 10.04
Package: phpmyadmin 4:3.3.2-1
ProcVersionSignature: Ubuntu 2.6.32-25.44-generic 2.6.32.21+drm33.7
Uname: Linux 2.6.32-25-generic x86_64
NonfreeKernelModules: nvidia
Architecture: amd64
Date: Thu Oct 7 23:10:36 2010
ErrorMessage: subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 1
InstallationMedia: Ubuntu 9.10 "Karmic Koala" - Release amd64 (20091027)
PackageArchitecture: all
SourcePackage: phpmyadmin
Title: package phpmyadmin 4:3.3.2-1 failed to install/upgrade: subprocess installed pre-removal script returned error exit status 1

[Skybinary (skybinary)]

I would like to add...
Next I used synaptic package manager, as it opened an alert prompted me to filter broken packages.
I found phpmyadmin in that filter and attempted to completely remove. This also failed.
There was an option to unmark phpmyadmin, i applied that and phpmyadmin disappeared from the broken packages filter.

And I remembered my root password so all is well.